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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOirvS 

^ /Y or THE J J ( 

7^^/- ILLUSTRIOUS Irf^q 



(general CJcGrge (Lula.aijingian, 

L.VTE PRESIDKXT CF THE UNITED CTATF.S OF 
AMEBIC. \, 

Commanlcr In Chief gf their Jrn}::^ clur'uiy ik 

Re'voJutionrrry IFar. 

Dedicated to ibe Youth ot Aincrica. 



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BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS 



OF 



(General CScorgc ma^lmgton. 



IN thehifiory of M.m, we conteruplats 
with particul.ir fiitisfacllon, thole legislators; 
heroes, and philoiophers, whole wifdom, \:\- 
lour, and virtue have contributed to the happi- 
ness of the human fuecic:;.— We trace the lurnin 
cui progress of thcfe excellenc beings with iicret 
conjplacency ; our emulation is rouled, while 
we behold them fteadily purfue the path of rec- 
titude, in defiance cf every obftrudion ; we re- 
joice that we were of the fame fpecies, and th.ii, 
Self-love becomes the Iiand-maid of Vir- 
tue. 

The authentic pages of Biography unite the 
moft grateful amufement with inilru.flion. — 
Truth lapports che dignity of theHiitoric Muid 
who will not admit of either ful feme panegyric; 
or liividioas ceniare. — She defcribes h^v her'> 
with genuine fimplicity — mentions his frailties, 
his ch'.irad3rii"bic peculiarities, a.r.d' his (ainir-J 
qualities. — In iliort, IKegivcs afaithfu-l andlive'- 
ly portrait of :he man, inve-'cigat'es the lat-^nt 
A 2 



( 8 ) 

As his patrimonial eflate was by no means 
confiderable, his youdj was employed in ufeful 
induftry ; and in the pra(nice of his profcfTion as 
afuiveyor, he had an opportunity of acquiring 
that information refpe(fting vacant lands, and of 
forming thofe opinions concerning their future 
value, which, afterwards, greatly contributed to 
the increafe of his private fortune. 

The firfl proof that he gave of his propenfity 
to arms was in the year 17.51, wlicn the ofHce 
of Adjutant-General of the Virginia militia be- 
came vacant by the death of his brother, and 
Mount Vernon, together with a l«rge eft.ite, 
came into his pofTrGlon. At this time, the e\' 
tenfive population of the colony made it expedi- 
eot to form the militia corps into three divifious, 
and Wafhington, in his 20Lh yea,r, was appoint- 
ed Major. He attended to his duty, as an olTi- 
cer, with exemplary propriety and viglHnce — 
was indefatigable in the dicipline of the troops 
— and generally beloved, both by lii: brother 
cfTurrs and the private men, for his mildnefi 
2;id g.-nerofity. 

In ihc year 17.53, ti." incirnchments of the 
Freiich upon the weftem boundaries of the Brit- 
ilh Coii^nies excited a general alarm in Virgin- 
ia, infomucfi th^t Govendr Dinwiddi deputed 
Wafhington to afcertain the truth of thofe ru- 
mours : he was alfo empoweied to enter iuto a 



( 9 ) 

vreaty with the Indians, and remoiiOrate witi) 
the French upon their proceedings. On his ar- 
rival at the back fettlements, he found the Colo- 
nifts in a very unpleafant fituation, from the 
depredations of the Indians, who were incceff- 
antly inftlgated by the French to the commlfllon 
of new aggreffions. He found that the French 
themfelves had alfo committed feveral outrages 
againft the defencelefs fettle rs ; nay, that they 
bad proceeded fo far as to efiablilh pofts vvithia 
the boundaries of Viiginia. Walhington ftrongly 
remonftrated agalnft tliofe ads of hoftillty, and 
warned the French to defili from the incurfions, j 
On his return, his report to the Govenor was 
publifhed, and it evinced tl:at he performed this I 
honourable million with great prudence. j 

The repeated inroads of the French and In- , 
diass on the frontiers of Virginia, made it ne-S 
cefTary to encreafe the miliciiy eRihlifliment,^ 
and eaily in the fpring of 1734, a ujew regiment 
was raised, of which Profe/ror Fry, of the collegfe, 
was appointed Col. and Wafhington lieutenant*. 
colonel. IVIr. Fry died fopn after the regimepj^ 
was embodied, and was fucceeded by ourhercf 
who paid unremitting attention to the diciplinf 
of this new corps. He ertabliflied magazines q 
provlfion and ammunition, and opened the roa^ 
to the frontiers in order to pre-occupy an impor^^ 
tintpoft at the confluence of the Monongahel 



( 10 ) 

and Alleghany rivers. His regiment was to 

have been reinforced by a detachment from the 

fouthern colonies, and a corps of provincials from 

North Carolina and Maryland ; but impelled by 

the urgency of the occafion, he advanced without 

the expeiTled fuccours in the month of May. The 

troops proceeded by forced marches towards the 

defile, and their commander difpatched two 

fcouts to reconnoitre ; but though his rapid 

march was facilitated by the fine weather, yet, 

when he afcended the Laurel Hills, fifty miles 

diilant frcm the place of deflination, he v/as met 

by his fcouts who returned with intelligence, 

^ that the enemy were in pofTt-flion of the port, had 

built a fort, and ftationed a large garrifon there. 

K Wafhington now held a council of war with 

Vthc other officers, but while they were delibcra- 

^ting a detachment of the French came in fight, 

I and obliged them to retreat to a favanna called 

the Green Meadows. 

j The fiortitude of Wafhington was put to a fe- 
^ere tefl on this occafion, he retired with the 
kroops to an eminence in the favanna, and about 
o6i> began to ere(5l a fmall fortification. He 
lied his tefr?T>orary defence Fort Noceffity, and 
conraged the regirccr.t both by his voice and 
ample, to ra:f€ a redoubt on which they plant- 
two field pieces. They furrounded the camp 
ith Hnentxenchraent in which ihcy toiled with 



(11 ) 

tinrcmiulng exertions duiing the fubfcquent 
night. Thus fortitied, they prepared to refid 
the meditated attack of the enemy ; and about 
fanrlfe, on the following morning, v^-ere joined 
by Capt. M* Kay, with a company of regulars. 
The little army now amounted to about 400 
men. On the approach of the advanced guard 
ol the French, the Americans Tallied forth, at- 
tacked and defeated them -, but the main body 
«jf the ercmy, amounting to 1500 men, com- 
pelled tliem to letire to the iatrenchnients* 
The camp was now clofely invefted, and the 
Americans fuffered feverely from the grape fhot 
tf the eiiemy, and the Indian riflemen. Wafli- 
ington however, defended the woxks with fuch 
Ikill and bravery, Uiat the befiegers were una- 
ble to force the Intrenchments. At length af- 
l---r a contiiift uf ten hours, in which 150 of the 
Ame) icans v. ere killed and wounded, they were 
obliged 10 capitulate. They were permitted to 
march out with the honours of war, and la/j 
tiown their arms In front of the French lines ;. 
but they were afterwards plundered by the hof- 
lile Indians, curing their return to Virginia. 
. This defeat excited a ftrong emotion cf for«r| 
row in the breafts of their countrymen ; and' 
tho' feveral perfons cenfured the precipitance' 
of Wafhington in this affair, yet the general 
conviiflicn cf his integrity prevented thcfe mur- 



( 12 ) 

tnurs from doing him any injury. Indeed, h'n 

condud was liable to cenfurc ; he ought to have 

wailed for the necefTary reinforcements, a junc- 

i tion with whom would probably have crowned his 

I cnterprize with fuccefs. His inexperience and 

1 the adlive ardor of a youthful mind, may afford 

fome palliaiion of his imprudence ; but his 

rafhnels in tliis inftance was fo different from 

his fubfequcnt prudence, that pucbably this in- 

aufpicious commencement of his military ca- 

i leer, was the origin of the circumfpe(flion and 

^ Yieilance which afterwards marked his conduft 

in a fuccefsful dcfenfive war. 

Let us for a moment enquire into the caufe 
of thcfe unprovoked hoflilities of the French 
againft the Britifh colonies. As France, for 
many centuries had been tlie profeffed rival of 
England, (he beheld the rapid profperity of 
thefe colonies, and the confequent aggrandize- 
ment of the mother country, with envious ap- 
prehenfion. The French government had made 
ietllemcnts in North America, and divided this 
vafl continent into two provinces ; the northern 
was called Canada, and the fouthern Louifiana. 
• But as the principal part of this territory was, 
comparatively barren and "uncultivated, the 
French formed the ambitious projed of obtain- 
^'ing poffeflion of the Britifh fettlements by force, 
i For this purpofe they ercded a chain of forts 



which extended throughout an Immcnfe tra»5t' 
of country, Thefe for tlHcations were garrifon- 
ed b/ troops, well fupplied by military ftores ; 
feuc the circumjacent regions were totally unin- 
habited, except by hunting parties of the wan- 
dering Indians. 

Tlie French engaged thcie favages I'l their 
intercft, by fupplying them with arms and am- 
munition in exchange for rich furs. Thus they 
obtained the alliance of a formidable and enter- 
prizing race, who natiiral'y hated the Britifli 
colonics, whom they confidered as the original 
invaders of their coimtry. 

la the summer of I TSi", tlie French having 
built feveral forts within the boundaries of the 
Britlih fettlemeni, an army c{' veterans was 
fent from France to fupport thrfe unjuftifiable 
encioachments. We have already mentioned 
thtiir visftory over the troops commanded by 
V/afliington, and that they had eie^fled a fors 
at an advantageous pofl, which it had been his 
deternnnation to fecure. They named thisfor- 
trefs Du Quefnc, in which they ftationed a 
ftroag garrlfon well provided with military 
llores. Thofe hollile measures on the part of 
France^ excited the indignation of the Englifli 
Govermcnt, and orders were iflued to make 
general reprifals in Europe and America. 

In the yeaj: 1755, General Brtfddock was fent 

B 



{ H ) 

lo America, at the head ct' two veteran regi- 
ments from Ii eland, to reduce the forts on the 
Ohio. On his arrival, lie was joined by the in- 
cepcndent und provincial corpi of America : 
but vlien the army was leady to march agalnft 
the CReniv, the want cf waggons for the convey- 
;ince cf ftoies, had almoll proved an infur- 
luountable obftacle to the expedition. In this 
tmergencY a paliiclic Amciican fttpped for- 
waid and lemovcd the difHculiv ; this v\'as the 
celebrated Benjamin Franklin, v.hofe e::traor- 
dinary talents had already ccntiibuted to the 
difl'ulion C'f knowledge and happir.efs. This 
benign philofopher exerted his influence fo 
t£cdtual]y with his countrymen, that in a (hort 
time, he colle^ed 150 waggons, which proved 
an ample fupply for the army. 

As in confequence of a military regulation, 
*' no cfTicer who did not derive hia commlfljon 
from the King could comm.and one v.ho did," 
Wafliington lefigned; but flrcngly attached 
lo a lijllltary life, and emulous to defend his 
country wiih t'ifllnguiflied zeal, he voluntanly 
ftived under Gen. Traddock as an txtia aid-de- 
camp. That Generul maiched againQ I'crt Du 
Ouefnc ; but foon after he cioikd the liver 
Monongahcla, the van dlvlfion of his army was 
attacked by an ambufcade cf Trench and In- 
irflans, and totally defeated, llic ibichncfs cf 



( ^^ ) 

the woods prc-vented bodi the European and 
provlnclril troops from being able to defend 
themfelves with effecl: ; they could neither keep 
their ranks, nor charge the ene'my with the 
bayonet, while the Indians, who were expert at 
bufh- fighting, and were widely fcattered, fired 
at them in all directions from behind the trees 
where they were concealed from their foes, and 
took a fatal aim. Wafhino^ton had cautioned 
Gen. Braddock in vain ; his ardent defire of 
conqueft: made him deaf to the voice of pru- 
dence ; he faw his error when too late, and 
bravely perilhed in his endeavours to fave the 
divifion from deflruftion. The gallant but un- 
fortunate general had four horfes fhot from un- 
der him before he was flain, and almoft every 
officer whofe duty obliged him to be on horfe- 
back, was either killed or wounded except 
Wafhington. Amid the carnage, the prefence 
of mind, and abilities of our hero, were confpl- 
cuous ; he rallied the troops, and, at the head 
of a corps of grenadiers, covered the rear of the 
divifion, and fecured their retreat over the ford 
of ivionongahela. 

Anxious for the prefervation of the troops, 
and unmindful of the fiitigues he had under- 
gone, during a fultry day, in which he had 
fcarcely a mom.ent of reft, he haftened to con-, 
cert meafiires with Colonel Dunbar, who com- 



( i^ ) 

jwandcd the rear dlvlfion, wlilch had not been 
engaged. Neither tlie wildernefs thro* which 
he was obliged to p.ifs, the innumerable dangers 
that furlounde^d him in his progrcfs, nor his 
exhaufled flute could prevent him from purfii- 
ing th>c line of his duty. He tiavclled during tlie 
night accompanied by two guides, and reached 
the Lritif^i camp in fafcty. Thus his perfever- 
ance and wifdom f.ivcd the rcfidue of the troops.. 
Colonel Dunbar now a/furned the chief com- 
mand ; and with confidcrable difficulty effcdled 
a retreat, but was obliged to dcftroy his baggage 
to prevent it from falling into the hands of the 
enemy. Wiiftiington received the moft flatter- 
ing maiks of public appiobation ; but his bed 
reward was the confcioufncfs of his own inte- 
grity. 

Soon after this iranfaffion, the regalalion of 
rank, which had juflly been confidered as a 
grievance by the colonial ofHcers, was changed 
in confequence of a fpirited remonftrance of 
Wafhington ; and the Governor of V^irginia re- 
warded thi? brave officer with the command 
of all the troops of that colony. The natural 
energy of his mind was now ca'led into a(fiion ; 
and his thoughts were continually etnplo)-ed in 
forming new plaub for the prote<ftion of the 
/"rontiers. 

We may form feme idea of his incieaftng 



t 17 ; 

popularity, and the high ellimation in v^hich he 
was held by his countrymen, from the follow- 
ing curious prediction. It was pubiiihed in the 
noiiesof a fermon preached by the Rev. Samuel 
Davies, on the ITth of Auguft, 1755, to Capt. 
Orerton's independent company of Volunteers, 
railed, in Hanover county, Virginia. " As a re- 
markable inftance of patriotifm, Imay point out 
that heroic youth Colonel Wafhington, wliom I 
cannnot but hope Providence has hitherto pre- 
ferred in fo fignal a manner, foe fome impor- 
tant fervice to his country." What renders this 
prophecy the more worthy of notice, is its hav- 
ing been delivered twenty years prior to the 
commencement of the war, which terminated in 
American Independence. 

In. the year 1758, Wafliington commanded 
the van brigade of the army under Gen, Forbes, 
and didinguiflied himfelf by the capture of 
Fort du Quefne. I)uring this fuccessful cam- 
paign, he acquired a knowledge of taclics. His 
frequent fkirmifnes with the French and In- 
dians, in the woody regions along the frontiers 
taught him vigilance and circumfpedion, and 
roufed that fpirit of enterpiife, which is ever 
ready to feize the crifis that leads to victory. 
The troops under his command were gradually 
inured in that mod difficult kind of warfare cal- 
led buOi-fighting, while the adivity of th<? 
B 2 



( IS ) 

Vrench and ferocity of the Indians were over- 
come by his fuperiour valour. After the ene- 
my had been defeated in feveral battles, and 
compelled to retreat fur beyond the Colonial 
boundaries, General Forbes left a fuflicient 
garrifon in the different forts which he had cap- 
lured along the banks of the Ohio, and returned 
with the army into winter quarters. 

In the courfe of this decifive campaign, 
which reftored the tranquillity and fecurity of 
the middle colonies, Wafhington had fuffered 
many hardfliips which impaired his health. He 
was afHided with an inveterate pulmonary 
complaint, and extremely debilitated, infomuch 
that in the year of 17:59, he refigned his com- 
miffion and retired to Mount Vernon. The 
Virginia line expre/Ted their high fcnfe of his 
merit, by an afFedlionate addrefs'on tliis occafi- 
on ; and his anfwer was marked with that mo- 
defty and magnanimity which were the promi- 
nent traits of his mind. 

By a due attention to regimen, in the quiet 
bowers of Mount Vernon, he gradually reco- 
vered from his indifpofition. But, as during 
the tedious period of liis convalefcence the 
Britifli arms had been vidoj ions, his country 
had no more occafion for the exertion of his 
military talents. In I76I, ho married a ycung 
widow, whofe maiden name was Dandridge. 



{ 19 ) 

She xvas defcended from a reputable family, and 
two of her brothsrs were officers in the Britifii 
navy. This lady w^as the widow of Colonel 
. Cuftis, who bad left her sole executrix to his 
extenfive poflelTions, and guardian to his two 
children. The union of Wafhington with this 
accomplifhed woman was produ<f^ive of their 
mutual felicity ; and as he incelFantly purfued 
agricultural improvements, his tafte embellifh- 
ed and enriched the fertile fields around Mount 
Vernon. Meanwhile he was appointed a ma- 
giftrate, a member of the afTembly of the ftate 
and a judge of the court. Thefe honourable 
avocations kept the powers of his mind in a 
ftate of adivity ; he attended to his civil duties 
with exemplary propriety, and gave a convin- 
cing proof, that the fimpliclty of the Farmer Is 
homogeneal with the dignified views of the 
Senator. 

But the time approached, in which Wadilng- 
ton was to rellnquifii thofe honourable civil a- 
vocations, and one of the moft remarkable 
events recorded in hiftory obliged him to a6l a 
confpicuous part on the great theatre of the 
woild. The American Revolution originated 
in the errors of a few Britifh politicians, and 
the joint exertions of a number of public fpirit- 
ed men among the Colonifts, who incited their 
country-men to refill parliamentary taxation. 



( 20 ) 

In Much 1764', a bill pafled in ihc^ Britifh 
Parliament, laying heavy duties on all articles 
impoiteJ into the Colonies from the French 
:ind other iflinds in the Weft-Indies, and order- 
ing thcfe duties to be paid in fpecie into the 
Exchequer of Great Britain. In the famefes- 
llon, another bill was formed, to reftraiii tiic 
currency of paper-money in the Colonies. 

Thcfc a<5ls excited the furprize and difplea- 
fiirc cf the North Americans. They fent warm 
and energetic lemonthances to the Mother- 
country, and laid every argument before the 
MiniHry that ingenuity could fuggcft. but in 
vain. As they had hitherto furnifhed their 
contingent in men and money, by the authority 
of their Reprefentativcs in the Colonial AiTem^ 
blies, ihey averted, that, cot being rcprefentcd 
in the T'lirifii Parliament, it could have no right 
to ta:; them. — Finding, however, that all their 
arguments were inefre*5lu.il to remove their 
grievances, they formed afTociatious to prevent 
iho ufe of Britiih manufH<^urcs, till :]:€)• (hould 
obtain redrefs. 

The animofity of the Colonifis was fartlicr 
increnfed, by the advice which they received, 
that the Briiiili Minillry had it in comiemplar 
tion to eflablifh ftamp-duties iii America, fiiut- 
l.ir tn thofe in Great Britain. 

The General Affumbly of Virginia w^s the 



( 21 ) 

firfl that openly and formally declared agaln{| 
the ri^ht of Britain to lay taxes on America. 
Of this Aflembly Wafliington was a member ; 
he moft zealoufly oppofed what he confidered 
an encroachment on the liberties of his country^ 
men ; and the example of this legiflative body 
was followed by thofe of the other colonies. 

In June, 1765, the AfTembly of Maflachu- 
fetts, from the conviftionof the expediency of 
a Continental Congrefs, pafTed a refolution in 
favour of that meafure, and fent circular let- 
ters to the feveral Affemblies requefting their 
concurrence. Accordingly, a deputation from 
10 of the Colonies met at New-York, and this 
was the firft Congrefs held in North America. 

In confequence of a petition from this Con- 
grefs to the King and both Houfe& of Parlia- 
ment, the ftamp-adt was repealed, to the uni- 
verfal joy of the Colonifts, and the general fa- 
tisfa<n:ion of the EngliGi, whofe manufadures 
had fufFered a confiderable depreffion, in con- 
fequence of the American afTociations againft 
their importation. 

But, the Parliament, by repealing this obnox- 
ious adt, did not relinquish the idea of their 
right to tax the Colonies ; and the bill for lay- 
ing a duty on tea, paper, painters* colours, and 
glafs, was pafTed, and fent to America, in 1768. 
This adt occafioned new difcantents \p. the Col- 



( 22 ) 

<mies, efpccially at Bofton ; and tbo' Prirll.i- 
ment thought proper, in 1770, to take off thofc 
duties, except Sd. a pound on tea, yet even tliis 
trifling import kept alive x.hr. jcaloufy of the 
Colonifts, who denied the fnpremacy of the 
Britifh Legiflature. The troop-? quartered in 
Bofton was another caule of .oitence to tl:e in- 
habitants, and, on all occafions, they rr.anlfefted 
an inclination to quarrel with men whom they 
confidered inimical to their liberties. 

The animofity of the people of that Colony, 
againfl: their Governor, Hutchinfon, was in- 
creafed by the difcovery that he had written 
letters to people in power in England, which 
contained a mifreprefentation of the ftate of 
public affairs, and recommended coercive mea- 
fures, in order to fecure the obedience of the 
province. Thefe letters fell into the hands of 
Dr. Franklin, Agent of the province, who trans- 
mitted them to Bofton. The Afl'embly paffed 
a petition to his Majcfty, by a large majority, 
in whicli they declared their Governor and 
Lieutenant-Governor enemies to tlie Colonie*;, 
and prayed for their difrriiftion from office. 
This petition was not only rejecf^cd, but declared 
to be groundlefs and fcandalo!i<?. 

About this time, Dr. Franklin was difmiffeJ 
from the office of Deputy Poftmafter-General 
Af America, which he held under the Crov/n, 



( 23 ), 

But it was not merely by his tranfmiflion of thj- 
letters above-mentioned that he had ofFended 
the Brilllh Miniftry , he had written two pieces 
in favour of America, which excited the public 
attention on both fides of the Atlantic. The 
one was entitled, " An Editfl from the King of 
Pruffia for taxing the inhabitants of Great 
Britain, as defcendants of emigrants from his 
dominions ;'* and the other, " Rules for redu- 
cing a great Empire to a fmall one." Thefe 
tfTays were both v/ritten with his peculiar fim- 
piicity of iiyle, and abounded with the mod 
poignant fatire. 

The difputes between Great Britain and her 
Colonies had now exifted above ten years, with 
intervals of tranquillity. The refervation of the 
duty on tea, the Rationing a llanding army in 
MaiTachufetts, the continuance of a Board of 
Commiilioners in Boilon, and the appointing the 
Governors and Judges of the province, inde- 
pendent cf the people, were the caufes of that 
irritation which pervaded all ranks of the com- 
munity. 

In the year 1773, the American controverfy 
was recommenced, in confequence uf tea being 
fent to. the Colonies by the Ead India Company. 
The Americans now perceived that the tax was 
likely to be enforced, and were determined to 
pppofe ihe revenue fyi^ern of the Britilh Pav 



( 2t ) 

iiamcnt. They confidered ihi* attempt of the 
Eall India Company as an indlred mode ot 
taxation, and look meafurcs to prevent the land- 
ing of the teas. One univerfal fpirit of oppoli- 
tion animated the Colonills fronj New-Hamp- 
fhire to Georgia. The province of Maffachu- 
fetts diftinguilhcd itfclf by the moft violent and 
decifive pioceedings. I'hice Ihips from Eng- 
land laden witli tea, lay in the harbour of Bof- 
ton ; and the townsmen lefolved to deftroy it 
rather than fufFer it to be landed. For this pur- 
pofe a number of men difguifed like Indians on 
tl'ie 18th of Dec. 1773, entered the fhips and 
threw overboard 312 chefts of tea, being the 
whole of their cargoes. 

The Miniflry now refolved to enforce their 
authority, and as Boflon had been the principal 
fcene of outrage, it was determined to punifh 
that town in an exemplary manner. On th« 
'25th of March 1771', an ad was palfed called 
the Bollon Port Bill, " to difcontinue the land- 
ing, and difcharging, lading, and Ihipping of 
goods, wares, and merchandizes at the town ci 
Boilon, or within the haibour." 

The news of this bill was leceived by tl^e 
Bolfonlans witli tJic moll extravagant tokens of 
refentment, and duiing the ferment their new 
governor, General Gage, arrived from England. 
This g«n:leman had been appointed on account 



of his being an officer of reputation, and a man 
efteemed by the Americans, among whom he 
had refided many years. The firft official adt 
of his government was the removal of the as- 
fembly to Salem, a town feventeen miles d[ii^ 
tant. 

Virginia again took the lead m a public a- 
vowal of its fentiments. The firft day of June 
had b^en appointed for the Bofton Port Ad to 
taice place, and on that day the General Afiem- 
bly of Virginia enjoined a public fupplication 
to Heaven. The ftile of this injundion was re- 
markable ; the people were direded " to be- 
feech the Deity to give them one heart and one 
mind, firmly to oppofe every invafion of the 
AmericTin Rights.'^ The a/Tembly of Virginia 
Recommended alfo to the colonies, to appoint a 
Congress of Delegates to deliberate on tiTe criti- 
cal ftate of their affairs. 

Mean^'hile the Boftonians were not inadive. 
They framed an agieement, which they called 
a folemn League and Covenant, by which the 
fubfcribers engaged in the moft religious man- 
ner, " to difcontinue all commercial intercourse 
with Great Britain, after the expiration of the 
month of Auguft, till the late obnoxious ads 
were repealed, and the colony re-poiTefTed of 
its charter.'^ Refolutions of a fimilar nature 
were entered- into by the other provinces ; and 
C 



when General Gage attenrjpted to counteia(3 
the covenant by a proclamation, the Annericans 
retorted, by infifting, that the law allowed fub- 
jedls to afibciate in order to obtain redress of 
their grievances. 

In the montli of Sept. 1771-, the General 
Congress of all the Colonies met atPhiladelpliia. 
That body confiiled of fifty-one delegates, cho- 
fen by the reprefentativesof each province. 

The tirft a6t of the Continental Cons^ress, 
was their approbation of the condud of the 
Boftonians, and an exhortation to them to per- 
fcvere in their oppofition to government, till 
the reftoration of their charter. — They avowed 
their allegiance to his Majefty, and drew up a 
petition, in which they intieated him to grant 
them peace, liberty, and fafety. After fever aI 
refolutions tending to promote unanimity in the 
provinces, and after having refolved that an- 
nother Cono^ress fhould meet in Philadelphia on 
the 10th of May following if their grievances 
fhould not be redrefied, they recommended to 
the people the fpeedy nomination of new dele- 
gates, and then feparatcd. 

Meanwhile reinforcements of Britirti troops 
arrived at Bofton, which increafed the general 
dlfaffe^ion to fuch a degree, that the people 
were ready to rife at a moment's warning. The 
Colonifts now began feriously to prepare for 



( 27 ) 

war ; embodied and trained their militia ; and 
to render themfelves independant of foreignera 
for the fupply of military (lores, they ereded 
mills and manufactories, for gunpowder, both 
in Philadelphia and Virginia. 

Thefe hoftile preparations induced General 
Gage to fortify the neck of land which joins the 
town of Bofton to the continent. But tho* this 
meafure of fecurity was juftifiable on the prin- 
ciple of felf defence, the Americans remonftra t- 
ed againft it with the greated vehemance. — • 
Inftead of paying any attention to thefe invedll- 
ves, the General feized the provincial ammuni- 
tion and military ftores at Cambridge and 
Charlestown. This ad' of hoftility excited the 
popular rage to fuch a degree, that it was with 
the utmoft difficulty the inhabitants of MafTa- 
chufetts could be reftraincd from marching to 
Bofton to attack the troops. 

It w^as now evident, that the enfuing fpring 
would be the commencement of a war of which 
even the moft refolute dreaded the confequences 
The utmoft diligence, however, was ufed by 
the colonifts to be provided againft any attack 
of theBritifti army. A lift of the men able to 
bear arms was made out in each province, and 
the afl'emblies were animated with the moft live- 
ly hopes on finding that two-thirds of the men 
who had ferved in the former war, were alivCj, 
and zealous in the caufco 



( 28 ) 

Wafiilngton wa5 among the moft a(J>lve in 
i-aifmg troops. His well known intrepidity and 
gencrofity obtained him a numerous corps of 
volunteers ; he was appointed their commander, 
and foon perfedcd their difcipline. He had al- 
fo been eleded a delegate from Virginia to the 
General Congress, and exerted all his influence 
to encourage a decifive oppofiiion to Britilli tax- 
ation. 

The awful moment now approached which 
was to involve GrOrit Britain and her colonies 
in all the horrors of a civil war. In February, 
J 775 the Provincial Congress of Maflachufetts 
met at Cambridge. Several military inftitutions 
for the protection of the province were enaded ; 
among the remaikable of which was the minute- 
men. A number of the moft adive and expert 
of the New England militia were feleded, vho 
were obliged to hold themfelves in readiness to 
obey the firft fummons of their officers ; and in- 
deed their fubfequent vigilance and intrepidity, 
fully entitled them to the above mentioned ap- 
pellation. 

We pass over the battles of Lexington and 
Bunker's-hill and come to the fubjed of our pre- 
fent memoir. Wafhington who was a delegate 
to Congress, from Virginia, was by their unani- 
mous vote, appointed General in chief of all the 
American forces. They alfo voted him asam> 



( 29 ) 

pie a falary as was in their power to beftow.— 
but he generously declined all pecuniary emolu- 
ments,— His reply to the Prefidentof Congress, 
on his nomination to the fupreme command ot 
the army, was in the following words : 
" Mr. President, 
« Though I am truely fenfible of the high 
honour done me in this appoinment, yet I feel 
crieat diftress from a confciouf^iess that my abil- 
ities and military experience may not be equal 
to the extenfive and important truPc ; however 
as the Congress defire it, I will enter upon the 
momentous duty, and exert every power I pot- 
fess in their fervice, and for fupport of the glo- 
riouscaufe. I beg they will accept my molt 
cordial thanks for this diftinguilhed teft.mony of 

their approbation. 

« But left fome unlucky event fljould happen 
unfavorable to my reputation, I beg it may be 
remembered by every gentleman in the room, 
that I this day declare, with the utmolt fmceri- 
ty, I do not think myfelf equ.il to ths com- 
mand 1 am honored with, 

'' As to my pay, I beg leave to afTure the 
Con^refs, that, as no pecuniary confideration 
could have tempted me to accept this arduous 
emaloyment, at the expence of my domestic 
peace and happinefs, I do not wiih to make 
any profit from it, I will keep an exad ac 
• C 2 



( 30 ) 

count of my expenccs — thofe, I doubt not, they 
will difcharge, and this is all I defire." 

This fpeech is a proof of that difinterefted- 
nefs and modefty which were the diftlnguiOiing 
chara<5leriftics of Walhington's mind. In pri- 
vate life he was hufpitable and friendly. — 
Thefc focial virtues, together with his tried va- 
lour, made him truly eftimable in the eyes of his 
countrymen. His eledion to the fupreme com- 
mand was attended by no competition — every 
member of Congrefs were convinced of his in- 
tegrity, and chofe him as the man beft qualifi- 
ed to ralfe their expectations and fix their con- 
fidence. 

The appointment of Wafl»igton was attend- 
ed with other promotions, namely, four major- 
generals, one adjutant-general, and eight bri- 
gadier-generals. 

On the day following, a fpeclal commiflion 
was prefented to Wafliington by Congrefs. At 
the fame time, they refolved unanimoufly In a 
full meeting, " That they would maintain and 
aflil^ him, and adhere to him with their lives 
and fortunes, in the caufe of American liber- 
ty." In their inftrudions, they authorifed him 
♦* to order and difpofe of the army under his 
command as might be moft advantageous for 
obtaining the end for which it had been raifed, 
making it his fpecial care, ia difcharge of the 



( 31 ) 

great truft committed to him, that the liberties 
of America received no detriment." 

Walhington's diffidence on the acceptance 
of his commiflion was extremely natural. His 
comprehenfive mind anticipated the numerous 
difficulties which muft attend his employment, 
and he would gladly have prefered the plea- 
fures of a rural life to all the " pride, pomp, 
and circumftance of a glorious war." 

His taking the command of the American 
army was therefore a ftrong exertion of felf- 
denial to an unambitious man, who enjoyed all 
the real bleffings of life in the bofom of inde- 
pendence. Let us, for a moment, turn our at- 
tention to his private affairs, and we will be- 
hold him bled with the rational pleafures of a 
philofophical retirement, with his table over- 
fpread with plenty, and his pillow fmothed by 
the hand of conjugal love. Could man defire 
more ? — Was not this the fummit of human 
happinefs ? But now, when the voice of his 
country demands his aid, he t^kes the field, in 
her defence, with fillial attachment. 

In the beginning of July, Waffiington fet 
put foi the camp at Cambridge, in order to af- 
fume the command of the army. On his way 
thither, he was treated v:ith every demonftra- 
lion of refpeft, escorted by detachments of gen- 
tlemen who had formed volunteer affociations, 



( 32 ) 

and honored with pubh'c addrefles of congratu- 
lation from the provincial Congrcfs of New- 
York and MafTachufetts. 

In anfwer to thefe addrefles, Wafliington, 
after declaring his high fenfe of the regard 
fliewn him, added, " Be affured, that ever-/ 
exertion of my worthy colleagues and myfelf 
will be extended to the re-eftablifliment of peace 
and harmony between the mother-country and 
thefe colonies. As to the fatal, but nccefTary 
operations of war, when we aflumed the foU 
dier, we did not lay afide the citizen ; and we 
fhall mod fincfifrely rejoice with you in the hap- 
py hour, when the recftablifliment of Ameri- 
can liberty, on the moft firm and folid founda- 
tions, Ihall enable us to return to our private 
ftations, in the bofom of a free, peaceful, and 
happy country.'* 

On his arrival at the camp, he was received 
with the joyful acclamations of the American 
army. He found the Britifli troops entrench- 
ed on Bunker's-HlU, and defended by three 
floating batteries in Mydic river, while the 
Americans were entrenched on Winter-Hill, 
Piofpe(5l-Hill, and Roxbury, with a commu- 
nication, by fmall polls, over an extent often 
miles. As the provincial foldiers liad repaired 
to tlie camp in their ordinary clothing, the 
hunting Ihirt was adopted for the fake of uai- 



( S3 ) 

formit^. WaOiIngton found a Inrge body of 
men, indlfFerently difciplined, and but badly 
provided with arms and ammunition. Befides, 
they had neither ingineers, nor fufficient tools 
for the eredion of fortifications. He alfo found 
uncommon difficulties in the organization of 
his army. Enterprifing leaders had diflin- 
guifhed themfelves at the commencement of 
hoftilities, and their followers, from attach- 
ment, were not willing to be commanded by 
officers who, tho' appointed by Congrefs, were 
ftrangers lo them. To fubjed the licentiouf- 
nefs of freemen to the control of military difci- 
pline, was both an arduous and delicate talk. 
However, the genius of Waffiington tiiumph- 
ed over all difficulties. "In his letter to Con- 
gress, £-fter he had reviewed the troops, he fays, 
" I find here excellent materials for an army — 
able body-men, of undoubted courage, and ze- 
alous in the caufe. In the fame letter, he com- 
plains of the want of ammunition, camp-equi- 
page, and many other requifites of an army. 

Wafhington, at the head of his troops, pub- 
liflied a declaration, previously drawn up by 
Congress, expreflive of their motives for taken 
up arms. It was written in energetic language, 
and contained the following remarkable palfa- 
ges: ^ 

." Were it pofHble for men, v/ho exSrcife their 



( St ) 

;-eafon, to believe that the Divine Author of 
ourexiftence intended a pait of the human race 
to hold an abfohile property in, and unbounded 
power over others, marked out by his infinite 
goodness and wifdom as the objeds of a legal 
domination, never rightfully refiftable, how- 
ever fevere and opprefllve, the mhabitants of 
these Colonies might, at Icaft, require from 
the Parliament of Great Britian fome evidence, 
that this dreadful authority over them lias been 
granted to that body. But a reverence for our 
great Creator, principles of humanity, and the 
dictates of common fi^nfe, mud convince all 
those who reflcd upon the fubjedl, that govern- 
ment was inftitutcd to promote the welfare of 
mankind, and ought to be adminillered for the 
attainir.cnt of that end. 

"The Legislature of great Britain, however, 
illmulated by an inordiate pafllon for po\\'er, not 
t-nly uiljuftifiabie, but which they know to be 
] ^culiariy reprobated by the Conftitution of 
llvAt kin dom, and defpairing of fuccers in any 
mocle of contefl: where regard fliould be had to 
truth, law, or right, have at length, deferring 
thnfe, attempted to effed their cruel and impoli- 
tic purpofe of enslaving thefc Colonics by vio- 
lence, and have thereby rendered it necefi*ary 
for us to clnfe with their lart appeal from Rea- 
fon to Arms. Yet, however blinded that af. 



( 35 ) 

fembly may be, by their intemperate rage for 
imlimited domination, fo to slight juftice and 
the opinion of mankind, we efteem ourfelves 
bound by obligations of rsfpeifl to the reft of the 
world, to make knownthe juftice of our caufe.*' 

This bold and explicit manifefto was dated 
at Philadelphia, the 6th of July, 1775, and 
fubfcribed by John Hancock, Prefident of Con- 
grefs, and Charles Thomfon, Secretary. 

A general fpirit of unanimity pervaded the 
colonies at this momentous period. Men of all 
ranks and ages were animated with martial ar- 
dour, even religious prejudices were overcome 
by patriotic enthufiafm. feveral young men cf 
the Quaker perfuasion joined the military aftbci- 
ations ; and the number of men in arms through- 
out the colonies was very confiderable. 

Notwithftanding thefe warlike preparations, 
the Americans unanimjusly protefted that they 
took up arms oiily to obtain a redrefs of griev- 
ances ; and that a fepar^tiox^ from the parent 
ftate was an objed foreign to their wifties. — 
The rancour, however, that accompanies a civ- 
il war, was produilive of mutual reproaches, 
and the slighteft proof often was keenly felt as 
proceeding from thofe w!io were once friends. 

An inftance of this nature happened at Bof- 
ton, while invefted by the provincial army, and 
produced the memorable correfpondence be- 



( 36 ) 

twceri the rerpe<5tive commanders. The la(t 
letter, writcen by General Wafliington to Gen- 
eriilGage, exhibited a lively portrait of his char- 
ader and principles as well as thofe of his coun- 
tiymcn. — It contained the following ftriking 
p adages : 

"Whether Biitifh or American mercy, for- 
titude and patience, are moft pre-eminent ; 
whether our virtuous citizens, whom the hand 
of tyranny has forced into arms to defend their 
property and freedom, or the marcenary and 
lawlefs inthuments of domination, avarice, re- 
venge, hert deferve the appellation of lebels, 
and the piir.ifhmcnt of that cord, which your 
liffected clemency has foreborne to inflidl ; whe- 
J:*ir the authority under which 1 a<5t, is usurp- 
ed, or f^ur.dcd upon the principles of liberty; 
fuch confiderations arc alto^t^ether foreign t<« 
the fubjci^ of our correfpondence — I purjrofely 
avoid all political (jifquifitloii : nor fliall I avail 
ITiyiVir r*f tijtue ?'^""ntagcs, which the facrcd 
caufe of my country, ot liberty and human na- 
ture giverne over vou ; much lefs Ihall I ftoop 
to retort any invedive. 

" You afreiH: Sir, try^lefpife all rank not de- 
rived frcrti the fame Amrce with your own. I 
cannot conceive one more honouiable than that 
which flows from the uncorrupted choice of a 
brave and free People, the purell foujce and 



( 37 ) 

original fountain of all power. Far from think- 
ing it a plea for ciueity', a mind of true magna- 
iiimity, and enlarged ideas, would comprehend 
and refpe<5lit/' 

This celebrated letter was by the Americans 
reprefented as the mofl; perfe<5l model of the ftyle 
becoming the Commander in Chief, and the oc- 
calion to which it was adapted ; nay, it was 
commended in different parts of Europe, and 
even in England, as the moft proper anfwer he 
could make. 

In September, General Gage failed for Eng- 
land ; and the command of the Britifh army 
devolved on General Howe. 

Meanwhile, the army under Waflilngton 
concinued the blockade of Bofton fo clofely, as 
to prevent all intercourfe between that town and 
country. The provincial force was formxcd in- 
to three grand divifions, of which General Ward 
commanded the right wing, General Lee the 
left, the centre was commanded byWafhington. 
The army was arranged by General Gates, by 
whoTe exertions military difcipline was gradual- 
ly and fucefsfuUy introduced ; the officers and 
privates were taught the neceffity of a due fubor- 
dination, and became expert in the different 
manoeuvres that conftitute the regularity of an 
army. 

One infuperable obftacle to the provincial 
D 



( 58 ) 

army's an-lvlng at peifoa difdpline was the 
fhortncfs of the time for which the men had 
been enlifted. It had been limited to fix months, 
and no part of tlie troops were engaged longer 
than the 1st of Jan. 1776. Topievent the En- 
ghdi General from taking advantage of this cir- 
cumftance, Wafliington was obliged occafion- 
ally to call in the militia when the idsbandcd 
men left the camp, in order that the works 
flihald be properly defended. 

Ticcnderoga had been taken by Colonel Ar- 
nold on the 10th of May. This important for- 
trcfs is funated on a promontary, formed at the 
junction of Lake George and Lake Champlain, 
and conftquenily it is thekcy of communication 
between New York and Canada. Arnold, flufli- 
ed with fucccfss, wrote a letter to Congcfs, in 
which he offered to reduce the whole province 
cf Canada with 2000 men. From the impetu- 
ofity of hisdifpoiition; he advifcd the adoption 
ofanoffenfive wnr^ but as Congrefs did not 
wiOi to widen the breach between Great Britain 
and the Colonies, and an accommodation was 
their wifh, they deferred the invafion of Cana- 
da. 

Sir Guy Carleton, the governci- of that pro- 
vince, planned a fclieme for the recovery of 
Ticonderogaand Crown Point, another fort ta- 
Jcen 'jy the Americans. He had been fnvcflcj 



( 39 ) 

^ith mllpowers to embody the Canadians, and 
march them againft the enemy ; however they 
were very unwilling to engage in the conteft, 
but he hoped on the arrival of reinforcements to 
compel them to ad. Meantime lie had coiled. 
ed a numerous body of Indians ; his troops 
though few, were well difciplined, and the Uni- 
ted Colonies had reafon to dread a man of his 
mtiepidity and abilities. 

When Congrefs were informed of these ex- 
ertions m Canada, they thought it expedient to 
make a vigorous attack upon that province, in 
3rder to prevent the invafion of their north- 
iveftern frontier. In confequence of this deter, 
umation, an atmy of SOOOmen under the com- 
nand of Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, 
v^ere fent to effeft the conqueft of Canada.— 
rhey proceeded to Lake Champlain, and thence 
'Y water to St. John's, the fird Briiifh poR in 
^anada. The Americans landed and befiec^ed 
he fortrefs, which was bravely defended by Vi- 
arrifon under Major Prefton. Illnefs obliged 
reneral Schuyler to retiie to Albany, and \he 
)le comm.and of the troops devolved on Mont- 
omery, who profecuted the fiege with fiich v^- 
OUT, that in a few days he became mailer of 
le place. After the redu(?:Ion of St. John's, 
lontgomery advanced to Montreal wiih his 
.t^orious army. On his approach to that town. 



( -10 ; 

the few Britifh forces which compofed the gar- 
rifon, lepalred for fafety on board the fliipping, 
in hopes of efcaping down the viver, but they 
were pievented by a body of continental troops 
under the command of Colonel Eafton, who 
was ftationed at the point of Sorel river. — Gen- 
eral Prcfcot with feveral officers, and 1 20 pri- 
vates, furrendered thcmfelves prifoners on terms 
of capitulation ; and the American General, af- 
ter leaving a garrlfon in Montreal, advanced 
with a rapid march towards the capital of Can- 
ada. 

While Montgomery was thus purfuing the 
career of victory, the province of Canada was 
invaded in another quarter by an enemy no lefs 
enterprifmg and intrepid than himfelf. A de- 
tachment of 1000 men was fent by Gen. Wafh- 
ington, from the American army at C^m- 
b idge. This expedition was condu(5led by Col- 
onel Arnold, who led his troops by an unexplo- 
red route thro' the wildernefs. The difficulties 
encountered by this detachment during 31 days, 
were almofl infurmountable. They proceeded 
in boats by the river Kenebeck, and were obll- 
ged to work upwards againft its impetuous cur- 
rent. After fuffering various hardlhips, and 
lofmg above l-3d of his men, by ficknefs and dc-^ 
fertion, Colonel Arnold arrived at the iiihabitot^ 
part of Canada, after a march of Gwceksi. 



( *1 ) 

.The appearance of Colonel Arnold before 
Quebec threw the inhabitants into the greateft 
confternation ; but, as in his march it had been 
impoffible to bring any cannon, he could only 
feize the avenues that led to the city, in order to 
cut off fupplies and provifions, and await the ar- 
rival of the troops under Montgomery. 

On the 5th of December, 1 775, Montgomery 
arrived in fight of Quebec. He fummoned it in 
due form, but the garrifon fired at his flag of 
truce, and refufed to admit his meffage. As 
the depth of winter approached, he was convin- 
ced of the neceffity of either raifnigthe fiege, or 
taking the city by efcalade- 

General Carleton made fuch exertions as evin- 
ced the moft determined refiftance, and his ex- 
ample animated the courage of the garrifon. 
The town was remarkably ftrong both by nature 
and art, and the number of the befiegers was ih- 
Confide»-able ; befides the vigilance of the Gov- 
ernor was fuch, that every part was guarded with 
the greateft circumfpedion. 

Montgomery, on the other hand, pofTeffed all 
thofe romantic ideas of military glory which 
prevailed in the days of chivalry ; and this love 
of enterprize was cheriftied by an intrepiditjr 
which made him overlook all perils ; he was ' 
confcious that his troops would follow with alac- 
rity wherever he fhould lead, and he determined 
D 2 



xo take the city by PwOrm,or periQi in theattempt. 

On the 31ft of December, 177^, he advanced 
to the attack by break of day. In order to incite 
emulation among the Provincial troops, there 
were two attacks, one by thj New-England-men 
headed by Arnold, and the other by the New- 
York-men, whom the General led in peribn. 

The way thro' which Montgomery and Iiis 
party had to pafs was narrow, and as he knew 
the moft defperate exertions of valour would be 
required, he had felciStcd a number of his moft 
refolute men for this entcrprize. He advanced 
amid a heavy (hower of fnow, and, having feized 
the firft barrier, he rufiicd forward at the head 
of his party, and haftened to clofe in upon the 
* enemy. The feconJ bariier, which led dire(5lly 
to the gates of the lower town, was defended by 
a ftrong body of the garrifon, who were pofted 
there with feveral pieces of cannon ready load- 
ed — Montgomery advanced, with a rapid move- 
ment, and was received with a volley of mufk- 
etry and grape-ftiot, that, in an inftant, killed 
and wounded almoft the whole of his party. He 
fell himfelf, with his principal officers. The 
troops were fo difconcerted by the lofs of their 
General, that they retreated. In the mean time, 
"Colonel Arnold was engaged in a furious alf.iult 
on the oppofite fide of the town. He attacked 
and carried a barrier defended with cannon, but 



( is ) 

tnis fucceis was attended with a great loss of 
men, and he received a wound himfelf, which 
Hiade it neceJfTary to carry him cff the field of 
battle. The officers on whom the command 
devolved continued the aflUiik, and took pofTef- 
fion of another barrier ; but, the befeigod, who 
ROW perceived the inconfiderable number of 
the afTailants, fallied from a gate that opejied 
towards their rear, and attacked them in turn. 
The Provincials were now hemmed in from all 
poffiUlityof a retreat, and expofed to a tremen- 
dous nre from the walls ; yet, ih this dreadful 
fituation, they maintained the contefl 3 hours 
before they furrendered. 

• Tho* this expedition had failed in the great 
objedt, yet it effedtually prevented any invafion 
fiom that quarter, a circumftance that had been 
apprehended by Congrefs. 

The fouthern piovinces now became involved 
in the conteft, efpecially Viiginia, where the dif- 
putes of the governor, Lord Dunmore, v;it]i the 
AfTembly, after repeated aggravations on both 
fides, terminated In open hoftiivtics. ?{e had 
retired from William {bur i^ to Nortolk, whenn he 
was joined by a confiderabie number of loyallfls ; 
but, after feveral fkirmilhes, he was obliged to 
retire to the (liipping that lay in the river adja- 
cent to the town. As It was now in the poilef- 
fion of the Americans, they not onlyrefufed ti^ 



( ** ) 

(apply the people on board with proviAons, but 
annoyed them by a number of riflemen, who 
were placed In houfes near the ftiips, and who 
inhumanly aimed at, and killed ieveial perfons 
on board. Exafperated at their conduft. Lord 
Dunmore ordered a party to land under cover 
of a man of war, and fet fire to the town. Thus 
Norfolk was reduced to alhes, and the lofs was 
efti mated at 300,000/. 

Meantime, the Governors of the two Carolinas 
weie expelled by the people, and obliged to take 
refuge on board the Britifh men of war. 

Thus at the conclufion of the year 1775, the 
whole of the Biitifh Cojonies, except the tovfri 
of Bofton, were united againft the Mother-coun- 

try. 

The Britifli troops at Bofton had endured a 
tedious blockade with their charaderiftic forti- 
tude. All communication with the country 
was prevented, and the ganifon fuffered many 
inconveniencies from the want of neceffaries. 
They felt the feverlties of a winter campaign in 
a rigorous climate, efpecially thofe who were fta- 
tioned at Bunker's-Hill, where they lay expofed 
to winds and fnows almoft intolerable to a Biit- 
ifh conftitution. 

The Provincials, in the mean time, were well 
supplied with necessaries in their encnnipment 
b.efore Boston. Hcie Washington presided) v^nd^ 



( « ) 

Xiy his prudent regulations, the troops had all the 
comforts of good tents, bedding, and fresh provis- 
ions. 

An intense frost usually begins thioughout New 
England about the latter end of December, when 
the harbour of Boston, and all the rivers in the 
environs of that town, are generally frozen to a 
depth of ice sufncient to bear a great weight. 
Washington proposed to take possession not only 
of the town, but also to take or destroy all the 
shipping in the harbour, and by this decisive en- 
terprize, put a conclusion to all the hopes of Great 
Britain in this quarter. His troops were eager 
to distinguish themselves by this achievment, 
and, if requisite, a greater force could soon be 
collected to second their efforts. This winter, 
however, was unusually mild, and, by preventing 
the operations of the Provincials, both they and 
the garrison were obliged to remain inactive. 

In the mean time, Mr. Penn, who had bro'to- 
ver the last petition from Congress, was examined 
at the bar of the House of Lords. This gentle- 
inan had been Governor of Pennsylvania, he was 
personally acquainted witli most of the members 
of Congress, and was qualified to give the most 
authentic information respecting the temper and 
inclinations of the Americans. It appeared from 
his testimonies, that the charge of aiming at In- 
dependerrce, which had been imputed to Con- 
gress, was unfounded. They had been fairly e- 
^ected, were men of character and abilities, the 



f 40 ) 

Colomes lud the highest conlklcncc in their in- 
teguty and were governed by tlieir decisions. 

I'rom his account, it appeared, that Pennsvlva- 
nia, alone, was able to rai^.e m),OWo men, 2'i,0(.0 
ot whom had ah'eady enrolled themselve to serve 
^vkhoutpay,and ^vhve armed andemhodicd bclbie 

s departure fron. the continent. Besides, they 

institl' l"'"'*"" ""^l^'^ .^"'^^y ^f Massachusetts^ 
5000 ^ ''°''^' mmute-mcn, amounting to 

After a tedious debate in both Houses of Parl-ia- 
ment, the petition of Congress was rejected, ail 
attempts to reconciliation were suspended, the 
standard of defiance seemednow to be raised, and 
both parties appeared determined to make the 
last appeal to arms. 

^Vhen the news of this rejection of the Amer- 
ican petition reached the camp before Boston, the 
troops expressed the greatest indi-naiion. As 
Georgia had joined the confederacy" the Ameri- 
cans now changed their colours from a plain red 
gi'ound,to 13 stripes, alternately red and white, 
to denote the number of the United Colonies. 

Washington exerted his skill and activity, in 
oraer to compel t!ie British either to surrender or 
evacuate Boston before any succours could arrive 
trom |.ngland. On the 2d of xMarch, 1776, he 
queried a buttery on the west side of the town, and 
bombarded U.-^This attack was supported by a 
tremendous cannonade ; and, on the 5th, another 
^-•Utery was opened on tlic cancrn sho"e Th« 



( >7 ) 

garrjsoiv sustained this . dreadful bombardment 
with the greatest fortitude ; it lasted 14 days with- 
out intermission, when General Howe, finding 
the place" no longer tenable, resolved to embark 
for Halifax. 

The evacuation of Boston was not interrupted 
by the Provincials, lest the British troops should 
set it on fire. 

When the Americans took pofTeffion of Bcf- 
ton, they found a multitude of valuable articles 
which were unavoidably left behind by the Brit- 
lih army. The principal of thefe were artillery 
^nd ammunition ;— but the moft valuable booty 
was a large quantity of woollens and linens, of 
w'hich the Provincials flood in the mod preffing 
iceQ, 

^ Wafliington now direaed his attention to the 
■ortifications of Bofton. Reemployed a num» 
^er of foreign engineers to fuperintend the con- 
trudiion of new v/orks, and fo eager were the 
)eople in the profecution of this bufmefs, that 
•very effeaive man in the town, without dif- 
■nftion, devoted 2 days of the week to Its com. 
'letion. 

As Wafliington was uncertain of the defti- 
ation of the BritiOi fleet and army which had 
^fc Bofton, and as New^York lay expofed to 
ny fudden attack, he detached feveral of his 
eft regiments, under General Lse, for tiie de^ 
■nee of that city. 



( 18 ) 

Mean while, a fmall fleet, under the commancf 
of Sir Peter Parker, and a body of troops, under 
Generals Cornwallis, Clinlon, and Vaughan, 
failed for Charlefton, the capital of South-Caro- 
lina. After a violent, but uniaccefsful attack, 
in which the fleet received confideraWe damage 
the expedition was abandoned. 

On the 4th of July, 1 776, the Reprefentatives 
of the United States of America, in Congrefs 
a/fembled, formally renounced all connexion 
with Great Britain, and declared themfelves in- 
dependent. They alfo publifhed a manifeflo, 
ftating a lift: cf grievances, which, notwithftand- 
ing their repeated petitions, remained unredref- 
fed. For thefe reafons, they determined on a 
final feparation from the Mother-country, and 
to hold the people of Great Britian as the refl: 
of mankind, " enemies in war, in peace friends.** 
This celebrated declaration of Independence 
concluded as follows : 

" WE, the Reprefentatives of the United" 
States of Ameiicn, in general Congrefs aifem- 
bled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the 
world for the reditude of our intentions, do, in 
the name, and by the authority of the good peo- 
ple of thefe Colonies, folemnly publifh and de- 
clare, that the United Colonies aie, and of right 
ought to be, Free, and Independent States, and 
that they are abfolved from all allegiance to the 



{ *3 ) 

Britlfli Crawn, and that all political connediots' , 
between them and the State cf Great Britain is,- ' 
and ought to be, totally dlfTolved ; and that, as 
Free and Independent States, they Have full 
power to make war, conclude peace, contrail 
alliances, ercablifh commerce, and to do all o- 
ther adts and things which Independent States 
may of right do. And for the fupport of this 
Declaration, with a iirm reliance on the protec- 
tion of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge 
to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our 
facred honour." 

This formal renunciation of allegiance to 
Great Biitain, was followed by the greateft pre- 
parations for wai thioughout the United States, 

Waihington took every precaution for defen- 
five operiitions, by erecting foits, and Rationing 
troops at the mod vulnerable points. The na- 
ture of the country was peculiaily favourable to 
defence. New-England, efpecially, prefented 
many natural barriers, confiding of hills and 
mountains, inteifeiied by rivers, and interfper- 
ied wich woods and precipices — feveral defiles', 
ikirted. by impenetrable forefls — while majes- 
tic rivers, flowing with impetuous current^;^ 
feemed to preclude the invader. 

General Howe refolved to quit Hallifax, and 
proceed to New-York, where he intended to 
v;ait for the reinforcements from England^ Hl^ 

E 



( 50 ) 

■failed about the middle of June, and at the end 
tt' the month arrived at Sandy-Hook, a point of 
land which (lands at the entrance of a large bo- 
dy of water, formed by the confluence of feveral 
rivers, and which is furrounded by New-York, 
Btatcn, and Long-lfland. 

About the middle of July, Lord Howe arri- 
ved with a fleet and army from England. He 
fent a circular letter to the Governors who had 
been difplaced by their refpediive provinces, in 
^v'hich he explained, thathe was impowered, in 
conjundion with his brother, to grant general 
er particular pardons to all ihofe who were wil- 
ling to return to their allegiance to the King 
of Great Britain. Congreis ordered this letter 
to be publiflied in all the news-papers, in order 
that the people of America might know the 
terms on which they were to aft, viz. either 
unconditional fubmiHlon, or a bold and man- 
ly rcfiftance to defpotic power ; and, that ihofe 
who relied on the juftice or moderation of the 
Britifh Miniftry, might be fully convinced, that 
Ihey muft truft to ihoir own valour tor the pre- 
fcrvation of their liberties. 

Lord Howe next fent a letter to the Ameri- 
can Commander in Chief, but, as it was diredl- 
t d to " George Walhington, Esq." the Gene- 
Kil refufed to receive it, as not dire«5ted to him 
;^j;ree:ible to hii fl.itinn. His conduft, on this 



K 51 .) 

dccaTion, received the unanlmons approbadon 
ot Longrefs. 

To obviate this difficulty, Adjutant-General 
i:'aterfon was fent by General Howe with a let- 
ter^direaed to "George Walhington, &c. &J. 
i &c. He was politely received, and immediate- 
ly admitted to the prefence of the American 
General. The Adjutant expreiTed much con- 
cern on account of the difficulties that had arif. 
en from the fuperfcriptlon of the former letter, 
and hoped that the et ceteras would remove all 
obltrudion to an intercourfe between the Com- 
miffioneis and General Waftiington, To this 
he replied, <« that a letter written to a pe-fon 
mvefted witn a public chaia^er fhould fpeclfv 
It, otherwife it could not be diftinguiffied from 
a letter on private bufmefs ; true it was, the./ 
ceteras miphed every thing, but it was no \ei:^ 
true, that they implied any thing." 

The moft interefting par^. of the converfation 
was thatrefpeding the power of the Commif- 
fioners, whom the Adjutant faid, were ready 
to exert themlelves to the utmoft to efFe(5l a re- 
concdiation. The General replied, that it m 
not appear that thefe powers confifted in anv 
more than granting pardons; but as America 
tiad committed no offence, ffieafked no forgive, 
nefs, and was only defending her unqueftionabb 
tights. "^ 



( 52 ) 

Ironuhls conference, it was evident^ that 
nothing but a decided fupciioiity in the field 
could induce the Americans to relax the refo- 
lutions which tJiey had taken with fo much de- 
liberation and foiemnity. 

The firmnefi ci Congiefi hiid ir.fpiied the pro- 
vincials with enthunalm. Thai refolute body 
had declared America indcpend;nU in the very 
faceot the Britifh fleet and army, while the firll 
was carting anchor in fight of New-York, and 
the reinforcements from Engl.md were making 
the fecond landing on Staten Island. 

An attack upon Long-Island being determin- 
ed on by the Biitifli commanders, ilie fleet cov- 
ered the defcent of the army, wliich efFecned a^ 
landing without any oppofition, on the 2'id ct 
Auguft, 1776. General Putnam, with a large 
body of troops, lay encamped and ftrongly for- 
tified, on a northern peninfula on the oppofite 
fliore with a range of hills between the armies, 
iheprincipal pafs of which was at a village call- 
ed Flat liufh. 

Large detachments of the American aimy 
occupied the hills and palTes. The right of the 
Brililh army was commanded by General Clin- 
ton, Lord Percy, and Lord Comwallis ; the 
centre, compofe'd of Ileffians, under General 
Hciftcr, waspoPied at Flat Bufli ; and the left 
under General Grant, was ftationei near the 
fea Ot^ic. 



( 53 ) 

Early in the morning of the 27th, the en- 
gagement was begun by the Heffians, and a 
heavy fire of cannon and mufquetry was con- 
tinued on bath sides for several hours. One of 
the passes which lay at a distance, had been ne- 
glected by the Americans, which gave an oppor- 
tunity to the right division of the British army to 
pass the hills, and attack them in the rear. 

The Americans, when apprized of their dan- 
ger, retreated tov/ards their camp, but they were 
intercepted, and driven back into the woods. — - 
Here they were met by the Hessians, and thus 
expossed to thefire of two parties. No way of 
escape now remained, but by forcing their way 
thro' the ranks of tl;e enemy, and thus regaining 
their camp. This numbers of them elfected, 
but by far the greater part were either killed or 
taken prisoners. 

Washington had crossed over from New-York 
in the height of the engagement, but he came 
too late to retrieve the fortune of the day. He 
had the mortification to see some of his best 
troops killed or taken, without being able to af- 
ford them any assistance, but he used his utmost 
exertions to save those that remained by a well 
conducted retreat. 

The victory was complete : the Americans lost 
upwards of 3000 men, including 2000 killed, and 
1000 taken prisoners, among whom were three 
generals — On the side of the British the loss in 
killed and wounded was only about 500. Among 

E 2 



'iie provincials that fell, a regiment from Marv 
iand was particularly regretted. It resisted 
wholly of young men of the best families in that 
province. They behaved with the most admira- 
b.e heroism : they were every one killed or 
M'ounded, and thus perished in the bloo'-a of 
youth. 

After tliis defeat, Washington did no-t think it 
expedient to risk another action against a numer- 
ous army of veterans, well provided with arUl- 
iery, and elated with their recent victory New- 
\ork required to be strengthened, and the'emer- 
gency did not admit of a momeni's delav ; for 
^nould tne British fleet be able to station itself Ik^- 
tween the camp and that city, all would be in- 
evitably lost. 

In this extremity, Washington exetted ail his 
characteristic vigilage and circumsDection. In 
the night of the 29th August, favoured hv dark- 
ness, andin the most profound siience, he can- 
veyed his tioops on board the boats and bnded 
ihem on the opposite shore. He also carried off 
as much of their baggage, military stores and ar- 
iillery, as the time would permit.' This retreat 
vvas conducted with so much sccrecv, tliat with 

thedawn, the Brinsh troops v.re sin Xdo 
se the rear guard of the American V.rmy in 
rhe b.Mts and beyond the reach of danger 
^ U hen Washington returned with the army to 
-ew-\ork, he ordered batteries to be erecrrcl on 
• very spot whence they could annoy tJ^.e shios of 



( 55 ) 

war, which were now stationed in that part of the 
river -vvliiich faces the city. 

The men of war were continually engaged 
with those batteries, sonne of which they silenced, 
and enabled the British troops to proceed up the 
river, to a bay about three miles distant. Ilere 
the troops landed under the cannon of the fleet, 
and marched directly towards the city, on which 
Washington retreated wiih his m.en to the north 
of York-Island. On this occasion, he lost a great 
part of his artillery and military stores, yet he 
engaged the British troops wherever he could 
make an advantageous stand. 

Washington had been particularly careful to 
fortify the pass called King's bridge, and had 
chosen this position for his army with the great- 
est judgment. He could advance or retire at 
pleasure, without any danger of being cut off in 
case of a defeat. Though he was determined 
not to risk a general engagement, yet in order 
to inure his troops to actual service, and at the 
same time annoy the enemy, he employed them 
in continual skirmishes, in consequence of which 
they gradually became expert soldiers. 

It was nov/ determined to force the Americans 
to a greater distance, lest others of their emis- 
saries should engage in an attempt to destroy 
the city.— -Accoraingly, General Howe left a 
sufficient garrison at New York, and embarked 
his army in flat bcttommed boats, by which they 
v/^re conveyed thro' the dangerous passage call- 



( 56 ) 

ed Hell-Gatc and landed near the town of West 
Clicstcr, on the continent. — After having fresh 
reinforcements, the Royal army riadc such 
movements as threatened to distress the Ame- 
ricans, In' cutting off their supplies of provisions 
from Connecticut, and thus force them to an c:\- 
f;a,c;ement. 

Washington held a council of war uith Vjis 
officers, in which k v.as resolved to quit their 
])resent position and extend the army in a \ot\c; 
but well secured line. This the r^cncr-l accom- 
plished, by keeping the Brunx, a river of con^id- 
crdbJc deptli, in front, between the two armies, 
Avith the North river on his rear. 

On tlic 28th oT October, ?t bre:\k ol" day, the 
British troops divided into two columns, ndvan- 
red towards the White PLins, an extent of high 
Impound, iull of craggy hills and defiles. 

The Americans maintained their ground in 
jront till noon, when they were attacked with 
such vigour by the British army, that they wcie 
compelled to retire to their intrenchments. 

Dwriiig the night, Washington, ever intent 
on the defence and preservation of his army, 
ordered several additional works to b«? tlr.o\ni up 
in front of the lines, inconsequence of which ll:e 
English general lhou;Tlit it imprudent to attack 
jiim till the arrival of i-cinforccisients. 

On mature deliberation, however, 'vVashing- 
-ton thought it advnseable to retreat : his camp 
wasbro-ken up oj^ iIuj 1st (tf November, and In*. 



( 51 ) 

retired, with his army, into a mountainous coun- 
ry, called the Township of New-castle. By 
these judicious movements, he avoided a general 
action. His system was, lo harrass the enemy, 
and habituate his men to danger, so that, when 
the emergency required it, they might be able 
to act with energy. 

When General Howe found that all his at- 
tempts to bring the enemy to an action were inef- 
fectual, he turne<^ his attention to the reduc- 
tion of Forts Washington and Lee. A division 
-of his army advanced to King's Bridge, from 
which the Americans withdrew into Fort Wash- 
ingtony which was immediately invested. This 
fort was situated on the western side cf New - 
York island, in the vicinity of the city, and near- 
ly opposite to l-'ort Lee, which had been lately 
erected on the other side of the water, in the 
province of Jersey. Its chief strength was in its 
situation, it was defended by 3000 men, well 
supplied with artillery. On the 1 6th of Novem- 
ber, this fort Vv'as attacked by the British army, 
in four divisions, and, after a resistance of some 
hours, the garrison was overpowered, and obli- 
ed to surrender themselves prisoners of war. 

In order to obtain the full command of the 
North-River, it was also necessary to reduce 
Fort Lee. For this purpose, Lord Cornwallis 
crossed the river, landed on the Jersey shore, . 
and marched with all possible expedition to sur* 
prize the garrison. Being apprizedof his approach. 



( ^« ) 

; Jc^ W.T''-] •!? "" """'^- Thus bo h 
<i>cjcis,e)sweie laid open 10 the inciimcns of 
I'e }5r„.sl, troops. They pc-nctra.cd ^ tr ,l,a[ 
lie„->vm,e,-q„ariers extended from N^w IW nf 
"ck,oiI,e river Delaware ; and "otre^" 

, '*""^" "in-'y found a si.fficient 'nimh, r „f 
boius lo ferry ihem over the Delaware" ,kH.f 
y probable ,ha, Philacklphia v.or: < V- e^f"' 

into their hands. ^'^'^ 

Mcainvhije, *Sir Henry Clinton unCtrtccV a- 

ct that province, without the loss cfa man ThJ 

.trcrontr''"^"'?"^^^^^-''-" 

r-ff A "^^ ^^'^^''^^o^hern frontiers, uj^ere Gene- 

lal Arnold wa. defeated by General CarLtrn nH 

S^:"^^ to retire from Cro.n^Pdm t^^r.^ 

listed t n!'"^' ^'f "^^^' ^^^ ^"^^^^^''^ 1^^^ en. 
iifited uasonJyatwelve-month, at the cxniranon 
of thatpenod, having fiiifil|ed their acreeme^^^^ 

mander in rK° r ' ?' ^^^'^^^^t the Com- 

rnunceun Chief as jnnch as possible, General 
i^ee had collected a body of forces in the North 



( ^^ ) 

The capture of General Lee was a heavy lose- 
othe Americatis. His professional knowledge 
vas great, both in the theory and practice of 
actios; he was full of activity, fertile in expe- 
lients, and of a most intrepid' and enterprising 
lisposition. 

Congress now exerted themselves to retrieve 
heir losses, and to recruit their army. They 
vere furnished with a just plea foralteiing their 
node of enlisting- men : they ordered a nev\' 
u^niy to be levied, of v.'liieh the soldier should 
)e bound to serve 3 years, or during the continu- 
mce of the war. The most liberal encourap-c- 

o 

nent was to ha given to recruits. — Twenty dol- 
ars was allowed to every soldier, as Ijounty, be-, 
ddes an aliotineiit of lands, at the end of the war, 
,0 all that served, and to the families of those 
;vho should lose their lives hi the service of their 
:ountry. 

All the provinces exerted themselves in this 
season of universal danger, and hastened to send 
tvhatever reinforcements could be raised to their 
irmy that Jay in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 

Exclusive of the dread of being e:.:posed to a 
ifictorioas enemy, the Americans v^ere particu- 
iarly apprehensive of the Hessians, and other 
Germans, who had, on every occasion, commit- 
ted the most barbarous outrages. Those fero- 
cious mercenaries appropriated every thing they 
Eould lay their hands upon, and plundered a peo- 



( 60 ) 

plc who not only detested but despised them for 
t'.ieii' meanness and rapucity. 

As the liiiiish troops lay cantoned on the banks 
of the Delaware, and only waited till the frost 
would ';nablc them to cross it, the Americans 
thought it advisable to remove their Congress to 
Baltimore, in Maryland. Meanwhile, General 
Washington continued to watch over the safely 
of his country ; his mind was continually occupi- 
ed with new pla]^s for the protection of his bcloA- 
cd America ; and he beheld, with filial solicitude, 
the dangers tliat threatened her lil)ertics. 

The JUiitish army now occupied a chain of 
to'-vus and villages throughout the heart of the 
Jerseys, and had exlci^.ded their quarters to the 
banks of the Delav.are. General Wuhhingtcn 
resolved to make som,c attempts on those divi- 
sions of the enemy that lay nearest Philadclphir, 
and, if possible, relieve it from the danger to 
which it was exposed. 

A corps of Hessians lay ajt Trenton, another 
at Bordcnton, some inilti lower down, and a 
third at Burlington. Those towi^s were on the 
opposite bank of the Delaware, and the last with- 
in '20 miles of Philadelpliia. 'i'hc Hcs.sians, 
from a confidence in their military superiority, 
Ijecauia inattentive to the motions of the Ame- 
ricans, and were wholly engaged with those li- 
centious outrages that had rendered them odi- 
ous to all the inhabitants. 

Washington prepared to surprize the enemy 
in their quarters. Accordingly, he formed his 



( 61 ) 

army into three divisions — the first was to cros?? 
the Delaware at Trenton ferry — the second be- 
low Bordenton— 'und the third he commanded 
in person, accompanied by Generals Sullivan 
and Greene. This diviscn consisted of 3000 olf 
the best men in the American service, with a 
train of 20 field pieces. On the 25th of Decem- 
ber, Washington marched at the head of his di- 
vision, to a ferry some miles above Trenton, 
with an intention to pass it at midnight, whiclj 
would enable him to arrive at Trenton with the 
dawn. 

It is impossible to contemplate the progress 
of this little army of patriots without emotion. 
As they march in solemn silence, without one 
friendly ray to guide their footsteps, what must 
be their sensations ? On the success of their en- 
tcrprize depends the freedom and happiness of 
innumtrable millions yet unborn — on its failure 
awaits every evil that can appal the heart. The 
virtuous matron — the innocent child — the chaste 
virf^in, all depend for protection on this heroic 
band. As they proceed, their bosoms throb 
with anxiety, while ail the ardour of the soldier 
arises to overcome apprehension ; neither the ri- 
gour of a winter's night, nor the certainty of pe- 
rils tliey must face can deter them from thei\' 
punx)".e. Their leader, who, like an eagle dri • 
vcn from her nest, still hovers about its young, 
what are his thousrhts ! — his noble heart forbo- 
des success, he anticipates victory ; and, whih 

F 



{ o. ; 

ie (eels the glow of heroism, hij foi'titvule is 
"icparcd to brave even defeat itfclf. 

In conscq\if nee of the delay occasioned by tlu* 

iliiiculty in breaking the ice, it was four o'clock 
n the morninq; before Washini^lon coisl.l land 
his troops, \viih their artillery on the Jcisey 
shore, lie then form^'d tiis men into two grand 
divisions ; one of which he ordered to proceed 
by the lower roiid, and he leri the other by the 
upper road to Trcn:on. .Thouti;h it vi'us now 
eight o'clock, the enemy did not discover the 
approach of the Americans till tlicy were attack 
ed by \Vashinc,ton's division, and in three miiiu- 
Tcs afterwards the lower part of the town wati 

..'isailed by the olher detachi7»cnt. Colonel Ral- 

.:, who commanded the Hessians, made every 
rjfibrt that could be expected froniabi^avc vet- 
eran ; but he was mortally wounded, his troops 

.ere completely surrounded, and to the number 

f k/JO men laid down their ai-m^. 
'J'his victory may be considered as one of th« 
mo5t foitiinatc events that befel the Ameri':ans 
during the wviv. Kiiigious individuals attribut- 
ed this success to the interposition of Divine Pro- 

idcncc, th.it hati smTered America to be rcdu- 

•j] lo the extreme of distress, in order to tc.'>ch 
tiiem not to place their jcliancc on tiicir own 

Irene th, but to look to an Omnipotent Power 
'or protection. 

V/asliington repassed th:^ Delaware, and his 
- return 'o Philadelphia with such a considerable 



( 63 ) 

nunibei uf prlnoners, was both pleasinc? and un^ 
.expected. To surprize a l)ody of veterans, and 
oe.eat them in their own qimiters, ^vas an at- 
c-nieyement that excited the liveliest emotions o^ 
admiration jn the breasts of the AmericHi-.^ 
1 hey were now emulous to second the efforts 
ot a (.general who had so noblv effected thei>' de- 
fence ; men of energy and influence were 6b- 
patched jn all directions to rouj:e the militia, and 
about 1500 of the American troops, whose en- 
gagement was nearly expired, agreed to serve 
nx weeks longer for a gratuity of ten dolkrs to 
Bach. 

When the Hessian prisoners were secured, 
vVashmgton again crossed the Delaware, and 
ook possession of Trenton. Several det^xb- 
nents cf the British assembled at Princeton 
vhere they were joined by the army from Brun-- 
vick, commanded by Lord Cornwallis. This 
pneral now marched to Trenton, and attacked 
he Americans on the 2d of January, 1777 at 4 
^clock in the afternoon. The yan-uard of the 
Americans was cp.mpeJled to i-etreat, but the 
au'sumg enemy was checked by some fieldpieces 
diich were posted on the opposite bank of San- 
mk Creek. Thus two armies, on which the 
accessor failure of the American Revolution 
epended, were crowded into the village of Tren- 
3n, and only separated by a creek in many places 
irdable. The British 'army discontinued their 
perations, and lay on their arms in readings-^, to 



( 6* ) 

make another attack next morning. — Mean- 
while Washington ordered the baggage to be si- 
lently removed, and having left fires and patrolcs 
in his camp to deceive the enemy, he led jiis 
av.'.'y during the obscurity of the night, and by 
a circuitious route reached Princeton. 

Washington had held a council of war ^vjth 
liis officers, in which this movement had been 
determined on, as the most likely way to ])re- 
scrvc the city of Philadelphia from being cap- 
tured by the British aj*my. He reached Prince^ 
ton early in the moming, and would have sur- 
rounded three regiments of British Infantry that 
were stationed there, had not a detachment that 
was marching to Trenton descried Jiis troops, 
and dispatched couriers to alarm their fellow 
soldiers. 

On their approach to Princeton, the centre of 
the Americans was charged by a party of the 
British troops, and compelled to retreat. In this 
emergency, Washington rode forward ; he plac- 
ed himself between his flying troops and the 
enemy. The Americans, encouraged by his 
exhortations and example, rallied and attacked 
the British in turn ; and tho' Washington wa*^ 
for some moments between two fires, he provi 
dentially escaped without a wound. D«ning thi.» 
contest, the British troops displayed the most 
invincible valour. One of the three regnnents 
commanded by Colonel Mawhood, undismayed 
l)y the superiority of the Americans in point of 



{ 65 ) 

numbers charged them with their l)ayoriCts, forc- 
ed their way through their ranks, and marched 
forward to Maidenhead ; the other two regi- 
ments retired in excellent order, and retreated 
to Brunswick. 

The British general was so much disconcerted 
at these unexpected manceuvres of Washington, 
that he evacuated Trenton, and retired with his 
whole force to Brunswick I 

Thus, in the space of a month, all that part of 
the Jerseys which lies between Brunswick and 
Delaware, was over-run by the British troops, 
and recovered by the Americans. Washington 
stationed troops in all the important places which 
he had regained, and the campaign of 1776 clos- 
ed with few advantages to the British army, ex- 
cept the acquisition of New-York. 

During these hostile operations, both armies 
had suffered great hardships. Many of the Ame- 
rican soldiers were destitute of shoes, and their 
naked feet were often wounded by the inequali- 
ties of the frozen ground, insomuch -that their 
footsteps were marked with blood. Their Cloth- 
ing was too slight for the rigorous season ; there 
was scarcely a tent in the whole army, yet so 
enthusiastically were they attached to their gen- 
eral, that they underwent those hardships with- 
out repining. Washington merited this gene- 
rous confidence ; his benignity to lus troops, the 
cheerfulness with which he participated their in- 
conveniences and dangers, and the heroism whivh 
F2 



( t36 ) 

ht ifisplayed in the heat of action, commanded 
their veneration. In the actions at Trenton and 
Princeton, he united the stratagem of Hannibal 
Mith tlic intrepidity of Caesar ; wliile his success 
animated the hopes, and roused the energies of 
the friends of American Independence. 

Tho' vested with extraordinary powers to raise 
troops, he found it very difficult to keep those 
he had together. A few were influenced, by 
the pursuasions of their officers, to remain and 
dcfcwd the common cause, hut the major part of 
the army were induced to serve by their attach- 
ment to their genera!. Indeed, the high estima- 
tion in which he was licld by his country-men, 
was of the greatest efficacy on many occasions, 
and now it absolutely prevented the troops from 
disbandin'.t themselves. 

The rccruiis supplied by the several provmces 
fell short of the intended number ; yet while the 
British troops were dct 'ii^.ed at N. York, Wash- 
ington received nunicrous reinforcements. He 
now niovcd from his winter encampment at Mor- 
ristown,to the hin:h lauds-about Middle-Brook, in 
the vicinity of Brunswich. In this strong position 
he threw up works alon^ tlie front of his lines, 
but his principal advantage was the difficulty to 
approach his camp, the ;.;vound being so judicious- 
ly occupied as to expose the enemy to every 
i'md of danger in an attack. On the one side he 
covered the Jerseys, and on the other he obser- 
ved the motions of the B-hish army at Brunswick, 
e^\vliiclihe comruundcd a lull prospect. 



{ 67 ) 

Many stratagems were^empioyed by the Brit- 
ish General to draw Washington from his strong 
situation, but without eflect, so that it was found 
necessary to make an attempt on Philadelphia 
by sea. 

On the 23d of July, the British fleet sailed from 
Sandy Hook, with 36 battalions of British and 
Hessian infantry, a regiment of light dragoons. 
and a corps of American Loyalists on board. Af- 
ter a tedious navigation, they went up the river 
Elk as far as was b>racticable. Here the army 
landed, without opposition, on the 25th of August. 
Part of the troops; were left to guard the stores, 
while General Howe proceeded, w'ith the main 
body, to the head of the Elk. 

When Washington received information that 
the British fleet had sailed up the Chesapeake, 
lie marched with all possible expedition to the 
defence of Philadelphia. His army, amounting 
to 12,000 men, passed thro' that city to meet the 
British forces, which consisted of 15,000. lie 
encamped on the Brandy wine Creek, about mid- 
^vay from the Elk to Philadelphia, and sent de- 
tachments to harrass the British army on their 
march. 

On the approach of the enemy, Washington 
retired to the side of the Creek next Philadeliihia, 
wich a determination to dispute the passage. On 
the 1 1th of September, the royal army advanced 
to the attack at day-break, and after a well conr 
lested battle, which lasted tii! night tl-.e Amcii- 



( 68 ) 

cans were defeated with the loss of 1000 killed 
and wounded, besides 500 taken prisoners. On 
the side of the conquerers, the loss did not exceed 
500. The victory was so complete, tliat dark- 
ness alone prevented the pursuit and consequent 
destruction or capture of the whole provincial 
army. The greatest valour had been displayed 
by the officers and soldiers on both sides. A- 
rnong the American troops who distinguished 
themselves most, were the Virginians, who, from 
their affection for Washington, had on all occa- 
sions evinced the greatest intrepidity and enthu- 
siasm. 

Immediately after the battle the Americans 
retired to Chester, whence Washington wrote an 
account of his defeat to the president of Congress. 
His letter is dated 12 o'clock at night, and is per- 
haps the most faithful picture ever given, of the 
reflections of a ereat mind amid disaster and dif- 
ficulty. Ilis troops tho' defeated were not dis- 
pirited, and they considered their misfortune 
rather as the consequence of superior skill on the 
side of their enemies, than as proceeding from 
any defect of valour on theirs. 

Congress, which had returned from liahimore 
to Philadelphia, wei'e now obliged to retire a sei- 
ond time. They went first to Lancaster, and af- 
terwards to York-Town. 

General Howe, at the liead of tho vanguard of 
his army entered Philadelphia in tii imph on the 
26th of September, and the main lody of the 



( 69 ) 

British army encamped in the vicinity of the cl- 
ty. The American army was posted at Skippach 
Creek sixteen miles distant. When Washington 
received the intelligence that the British army 
was divided, he resolved to surprise the camp of 
the principal division at German Tov/r. — Accor- 
dingly, on the 3d of October, in the evening, he 
marched in great silence, and about 3 o'clock m 
the morning he reached the British camp, and 
immediately made the requisite dispositions for 
an attack. The patroles discoverd his approach, 
and the troops were called to arms. 

The Americans assailed the camp with the 
greatest intrepidity, but they were received with 
such bravery, that, after a very hot action, they 
were repulsed, and compelled to retreat with 
considerable loss. 

When the news that Philadelphia was in pos- 
session of the ix)yal army reached the northern 
colonies, they sent a reinforcement of 4000 of 
their best men to Washington. On their arriv- 
al, he advanced within 14 miles of the city, and 
fixed himself in a strong encampment at White 
Marsh. The British general marched cut of 
Philadelphia in the beginning of December, to 
afford Washington an opportunity of coming to 
a general engagement, but he was determined 
to act merely on the defensive. Fhiding that he 
could not provoke the enemy to engage, Gen- 
eral Howe returned to the city on the 8th of 
December, and his army went into winter quar- 
;t^rs. 



lu 



JUsniP.gton now removed hiscampto Val 
% lorge on the Iranks of the SchuyJ! ill, rho- 1 
! o miJcs from Philadelphia. In thil stron ' no 
s.tion he could observe every moticn of*^ 'e 

pro^ect h-r^- '^^? ""'^ "'^^^^^^ ^" --^^^ " 

to frl\.^'?r" ""' "':^'^ ^^^^ ^••^^P^ -rented 
fo" ht '^ . ^^ '■'''°"' hardships of so i.ncoir,- 
fo.^ableasituatum, ^vasaproof of the v.armth of 
heir attachment to thdr Genera], and thei le 
termination to defend their conntry 

in the'l^M^if ^''l'^'^- ''"^^ ^'^'^ '^'"'^ «"^^^^^f"I 
riVv.. '. ? '""^^"^"'^ niore important and dc- 
cisnc events happened in the northern provinces. 
C,eneral Burgoyne uas acnt at the head of a vci- 

t^ll'f ll'""^'' ^? •''"^^ ^ '^S°''^"^ campaic;n upon 
the lakes and in the adjoining provinces. Ha 

.l^^^T P°'^^^^^"" °f Ticonderoga, tJien cros- 
sed Lake George, and encamped on the banks 
oi tne Hudson near Saratoga. Here his pro- 
Kress ^vas checked by the Americans under (i^n- 
t^ral Gates ; and after two severe actions, he was 
iorced to surrender on the 17ih of October, \777 
This event chfTused an universal joy throv.ghout 
he Luted Stales. The European nations, 
and France in parlicular, who froni prejudice o, 
rnvy, had so long been desirous of the downfall 
ot British grandeur, received this news Aviih 
open exultation. Indeed, ^;evera^individuals in 
l^rancc had exerlcd themselves in favour of th., 
ArarMM ur; A in„v,i,e;- of ^-ravc f.nd exp' ^ 



( 71 ) 

rqd officers of the Irish brigade volunteerecl lu 
the cause of the British Colonies, against their 
parent State ; and even some of the yonncr no- 
tiiity of France were emulous to distin^uisli 
themselves on this occasion. The most consijl- 
cuous of these, were the Marquis de la Fay- 
ette ; Roche du Fermoy, who served in the ar- 
my that acted against (General Burgoyne : De 
Coudray, a French officer of rank ; and Baron 
St. OVary. 

By the assistc.nce of these auxiliaries, the 
Americans daily improved in discipline, and the 
successful close of the campaign on the frontiers, 
cheered thcni with the most pleasing expecta- 
tions respecting the issue of the war. 
. On the 6th of February, 1778, a treaty of al- 
liance between France and Americu was signed 
by the contracting parlies. Washington appoint- 
ed a day for the whole army to celebrate this 
e\ent, and it was observed with the greatest 
military pomp. 

In May, General Howe took his departure for 
England, and the ciiief command of the British 
army devolved on Sir Flenry Clinton. 

The English commissioners, appointed by 
the British Ministry to attempt a reco.nciHatioii 
with the Colonies, arrived at New-York in the 
beginning of June, but before they could re- 
ceive an ansvN^er from Congress, General Clin- 
ton evacuated Philadelphia, after the British 
•irrhy liad kept possession of it for nine inontbs-> 



( 72 ) 

This event took place on the 18th of June, and 
it was considered by the Americans as the hai- 
binger ot' their Independence. They asserted, 
that the strength ol' Britain was broken on the 
American continent, and that the army retreat- 
ed towards the sea, to be in readiness to em- 
bark, if the exigencies of Britain required its 
assistance. 

The British army marched out of Philadel- 
phia at 3 o'clock in the morning, and crossed 
the Delaware before noon, with all its baggage. 

Washington had been apprised of this move- 
ment, and dispatched expresses into the Jerseys 
to collect troops. He passed tiie Delaware with 
the main body of his army, and was hourly join- 
ed by reinforcements of regular troops and mi- 
litia. 

General Clinton retreated across the country 
towards Sandy J look, whence a passage to New- 
Yoik mi:^ht bo easily eiTected. In the mean 
time, Vv'asiiitigton pursued tl>e British army ; 
Jie sent the Marquis de la P'ayelte with a detach 
ment of chosen troops to hari ass the rear of the 
enemy ; General Lee, who had been lately ex- 
chant^cd, followed with a division to support him ; 
and WtibhiiJ.^lon himself moved with the main 
body to sustain the whole. 

On the 27ih of June, the British army en- 
camped in a strong position at Monmouth, nei-r 
Freehold ; and on the aiorning of the 28th the 
van division of the Americans under General 



( 7J ) 

!.ei!, commLncej' iliC utt .ch by a severe cannon^ 
iuic ; but Sir llc.iry Clinton, ji.id made such ju- 
ciicnus an ;'\jLn.'i;':'ts of i;l.itrccps, ib.at the Cine- 
IV: V uvie us.uLic t'j n'.:'.!:s i.v.y iinpic^Lion on h\^ 

The. Bi Msh grenadiers and IVf^ht infantry en- 
ga^ed the Annericijls with such vigor.ry that 
thtir fii'st line, conunaiicled by General Lee, 
vus comj'ilctf 1) broken; their second line was 
ako defeiitcd ; ihcy both rallied however, and 
p(js;ed themselves with a. niorass in their rront. 
They were a^'uiii charged by the Britiih troops,, 
and were with difficulty preserved from a tota J 
defeat hy the junciioii of ihclr ini.in bod^ imder' 
Washiri5^ton. 

In tlii^ acii(jn the brave^'y and discipline of 
the British troops were conspicuous. They had 
forced an enemy superior in riumber from t'.vo 
£troiv;> po^^itions, and Iijd cnduied excesLive tli~ 
tigue both froir. the inttii^je heat of the day and- 
iinjen-ittin;.^ tLil. The loss- of the loyal aiiuT 
>vas about 5Cu' men, L.iui that of the Auiejlcnj' 
was coni-iderable. 

Cvi.eial LcCy wb.o roinnianded the van fiivi- 
'i'.n of the Anie.icuii ui i.iv in ttio -iction at Mon- 
n.outh, \vL.c, i:i cori^cqueiice of hia iiiiiconduot, 
put under arrest, iriv.d by u Court-martial, and 
sentenced to a te:nporary suipensicn from his 
coinrnand. 

Washington, after the retreat of the Brijish 
armv, marched to White Ph.ini r.ear Kine'i 



(• 7^ ) 

Bri'dgc, Avbcre he cncnmpcd. He remained ji. 
this posilion tiil the lallci end of autunm, when 
lie rclhcd to Middle-brook, ii^ Jersey. Here 
his army erected huts, similar to those they had 
inade at 'Valley-rorge, and xvcnt into vmter- 

(juartevs. . 

In May, 1779, General Clinton sent a divi- 
sion of the British army to take Stoncy-Point, a 
strong fort on the western side of the North- 
River. This expedition was s<iccessful, as the dis- 
tance at which \V;.shin-ton lay v iih his army 
prevented him from giving any assistr.ncc to the 
garrison. The British General foi lifted Storiey- 
Point in the F.tioiir,est manner, and encamped at 
Philipshurg, half-way bet\\e'vn that fortress and 
New- York, to be in rcaditiess to compel Wash- 
ington to an cn'^-agcmc'.ii, ifhc should leave his 

station in Jersey. . 

In order to counteract these operations, \% ash- 
hrnon advanced towards the British aiTay. He 
took a stron-; ]>osition at West-Point, on the banks 
ofthe Norih-Rivcr, and fovuK-d a desi-n to re- 
cover Stoncy-Poiut by surprize. He sem Gener- 
al Wayne, one of the most intrepid officers in 
his army, to conduct this enlerpnze. A\ aync, 
at the head of a deuchment of chosen men, arri- 
Ycd in the evening of the 1 5th of July withm 
si-htofStonev-Point. He formed his men into 
two columns uith orders to use the bayonet only. 
The right column was commanded by hm^selt 
in person, the left by major Stewart, a bold ai^f 
ctivc officer. At midnight, ' tl^e two columr'i 



( 75 ) 

^"marched to the attack, from the opposite sides 
.T)f the Avorks, ^vhich were surrounded ^^ith a mo- 
rass and Uvo rows of abbatis, well provided with 
artillery. The Americans were opposed by a 
tremcndnous fire cf mvisketry and grape shot, 
but they pressed forward with the bayonet, and 
both columns met in the centre of the works, 
where the garrison, amounting to :gO m.en, were 
obliged 10 surender prisoners of var. 

Wheji the Brirish General received intelli- 
gence of the surprize of Stoney-poiiit, he march- 
ed with his army to retake U, hi:id as Washing- 
ton did not consider the possession of that fortress 
of sufficient importance to risk a general action, 
he demolished the works, and carried off the 
artillery. 

Towards the end of the year 1779, General 
Clinton sailed from New-York, with a consider- 
iible body of troops to attack Charleston in 
South Carolina, where General Lincoln comman- 
ded. After a close siege of 6 weeks the town 
was -surrendered to the British General, and the 
whole America garrison made prisoners. In 
.August 178(S LoM Corn^vallis defeated the A* 
mericans, under General Gates, at Cam.den i^ 
South Carolina, and he afterwards marched thro' 
the Southern States without opposition. ^ 

During the fummer ot 17&0, the British 
troops made frequent incur fions from New-York 
into the Jerfeys, and an unfuccefsful attempt 
?sjas m^de by General Knyphaufen with/rOOO 



( V'i ) • ■- 

rpirn to furprize llie advanced polk>f W.in»tng. 
to: 's army. So groat t^cre the necclTi I's of the 
.'\!rcrican army, that W-ifhlngtor. u is obliged 
to c:iU en the r'..i;^lilr.itcs of the adi.icent coun- 
tics for rpcclfiJ J quinlitjes oi provisions; nay, 
^ ho WMs fomctimcs compeUcd to fend det.ich- 
' rients of his troops to taltQ necefiTaries ^t t!io 
point of the b.iyonet fiom the citizens. Tills 
fcarcity was principally owing to the dcprecl.i- 
tion ci tl;e paper currency, which dlfcour^iged 
tl:c f.iimcrs ficm lellin-n: ihe?r provifions to the 
r.i my. The filuatlon cf VVaOiington was peculi* 
:irly embirrafllng — the army looked to him foi 
ncccff.iries, and the people for the prote<£l*r>'n 
cf their property. His prudence furmounled 
t!'.cfe difHcultit^s, and Conrrefs fent a Commit- 
tee of tlielr o\sn boJy to his cam.p, to concert 
mcafurcs for the p.<yment and lupply of the 
trocps. As the attempt cf the Brittfli army 
agalnfl Walhington had made no impre(5*Mi 
r.f any confeq'ience, the Americans beg^in tn 
ii'.\ .er from tlie alarm which the lofs rf 
C- :rlcfton hid r:.c;ted. "SVaini txh:5rtat:ons * 
u£re m.ade to the people by Congrrfr, in which 
they were called npon by every motive that 
c.^-.ihl animate them to atfl with fplrit and promp- i 
titude agalnft great Dr'taln. . 

Ln the mean lime, Sir Henry Clinton rcftnn- ' 
cd.vlih hii vicloiioMs army firm '^i)arlc (Ion ; , 



( " ) 

r\ni Ge:\. ArnoU, who had been cr, trurccd with 
t'le ommaiid of a very corfKleir.ble dlviftori 
ct the American army at WercPoir.r, pgrcod to 
t'rliver up that important: poft to the DilLiih 
OvMieral. As Waflilngron had iVt cu: lor Hart- 
ford to held a confe". ncc with Count de Roch- 
ambeau, the ncgociaticn between Sir Henry 
Clinton and Arnold was carried on v/ich greater 
facility daring his ablence, Tlie agent employ- 
fid by the Bricifh General, was Ma)'.>F Andre, a 
young .oiBoer ot unccn:mon meri". To favour 
the neceiTary communications, the Vulture 
floopof war had been previoufly ft uioned in the- 
North-River, and a boat was font at night from 
thcihore to fetch M.i}.)r A!u1re-r-VVi'-?n he had 
received fuch inilrucftioas us rf.-hiiccl to his bu- 
f p.efs, he fet out on his return, but was inter- 
cepted, and ail his papers r/i7od. Arnold ef- 
capcd on board the Vuliuic, but M.ij u- Andre 
was brtuight before a board of grr.eral OiTlce-s, 
by whom he. v,a£ cnnfiJi-Tcd as a fpy. and f;.'n- 
•lO.iced lo dejih. Tiie .cmcers wl:.^ fs^^ned the 
rond'/rnnation of Auvi e, ravd even \Van.in[;r'^n 
himlelf, tcOined tlie tlnceKfi; griet.nt the ne- 
rciTity t;iey declared themfeivea r.r.i'cr oi com- 
nlying v.'iih the rigorru.s laws eaablii?ie J in fwich 
cafjs. 

At thr clofe of the year 1730, tliJ An'.erican 
^i^r.:;;,- fojt the rig'-^ur of the feafon v.iLli p'ji'.'Jaf , 

G 2 ^ 



( TS ) 



1^1 



c ire urn fiances of aggravation by want of pay, 
clothing, Sic. The troops had been enllfted for 
3 years, which were now expired, and incenfed 
at fo long a continuance of hardOiips, an infur- 
redion broke out in the Pennfylvania line, which 
was followed by that of New-Jerfey. The 
complaints of thefe foldlcrs being well founded, 
were redrclfed, and a general amncfty clofed 
the bufinefs. Tliat part of the American army 
which was under the command of Wafiiington, 
did not efcape the contagion of revolt. He 
prudently remained in his quarters, where his 
prefence, and the refpe(ft and afFe(5lion for his 
perfon, tho* it did not prevent murmurs, kept 
his men within bounds, and prevented a muti- 
ny. 

The campiiign of 1781, was opened with 
^[Teat vigour by the Britifh army in Carolina. 
After fevera.1 fK-irmiOies with various fuccefs, 
the two armies under Lord Cornwallis and Ge- 
neral Greene, met at Guilford, on the 15th of 
March 17S1, and after a well contefted adion, 
the Britifh remairvcd maflerb of the field, 
i.ord Cornwallis afierwarJs marched into Vir- 
ginia, where notwithflandiag the advantages he 
gained over the Americans, his fituation be- 
camo very critical. Sir Henry Clinton was 
prevented from fending him reinforcements, as 
he was apprehenfive that Wafhingion inLenJcJ 



l'^ . ( 79 ) 

to attack New- York. The American Coin- 
mander In ' Chief employed great finefTe to de- 
ceive the Britifh general, and by a variety of 
judicious manoeuvres, kept him In couiinual 
alarm. — In the mean time. Lord Cornwallii 
took poffefllon of York Town, In Virginia, and 
he was followed by the Marquis de la Fayette, 
who had been difpatched by Waihlngton witli 
2000 light infantry to watch tlie motions of th© 
Britilh army. 

On the 30th of Auguft, Count de Grafle 
anchored In Chefapeake Bay, with 24? (hips of 
the line. He landed troops to co-operate with 
Waftiington, who had moved with the main bo- 
dy of his army to tlie fouth>yard, and when ha 
heard of the arrival of the French fleet in the. 
Chefapeake, he proceeded by forced marches to 
the head of Elk, which he crolTed and proceed- 
ed to York Town. 

Wafnington now Invefted York Town, with 
an army ot 15,000 Americans, and 9000 French. 
He had fele^ed his beil troops for tliis impor- 
tant occafion, and the French were chofen out 
of the braveft corps in France. 

The French and American batteries mounc- 
eJ with 50 pieces of cannon, were opened a- 
gainft York Town on the night of the 6th of 
Oaober, and an Incelfant fire was kept up til 
the I'kh, when two detachments of the belie 



. ( f'O ) 

rrs ait.ickcJ r.T.<\ ilwimc.l two rrduuwts ir. fror.l 
rf the Tritifli wrik'. The bcfit-^fM'J were nov/ 
foreduceJ by fickncf^, anj theacciJentscf uv.i 
ih.ii they aniountrd only to 5,600 cfTccfiive men. 
Meahvlille, Sir Henry Ciir.tnn £ele.ftod TOGO of 
Ills bcft troops, whicli he embarked at Ivcr.-- 
Yrrk, en b'^rtrJ the BritKK fleet, with a dclei- 
ir.M-.arion to fucciiir the army under J^ord Coin- 
walHs ; but the i^.iriilon at York Town h.nin^; 
p^ifevered to ih.e r.imcifl e.xtrenjiry, and no 
profpe<fi c{ relief Hjpearing, a negoci-nion was 
ripened v, iih Wafhirx^lon, and the troops and 
fcanien were obliged to fiinender thcjDfclves 
prifvjners of war. Thus tciminaticd the dcci- 
fivc camp^i'ign cf 17bO, wliich te.ilikd Ameii- 
car. Independence. ' " 

S^on after the capture cf Lord Comwallis, 
the Brililli armarrjcnt appe.:red ofT tlic Cl>efj-. 
pcake, in the latter end rf 0(flobcr, but tf) their 
mortlncaiion, they were apprized t!>at the army 
r.ndi^r Lord Cornwall's had farrcndered. 

V/adiinfTton felt all the honeft exultation o( 

c 

n patriot at thi> event. The orders ^piiblifhed 
in his camp, on the 20th of- O^ober, were 
itrongly expreflive of his faiisfa^f^ion. He con- 
t^ratulated the oHlcers and foidicrs of the cimtj- 
hined armies rn theif fucccfs, and iHued a gen- 
rral pardon t > all pcrfons in the Continental 
iirmy who weic under arrcft, ■*'ih.-it c\-ery hcait 



"( 81 ) 

^iv.-j>t partaU oi; the gcnenajoy," Nor did 
he^my'it v. hat he knew would be peculiarly 
acceptable to the icli-irus turn of nuny of hi* 
countrymen. His orders concluded with ii p.ir- 
licuUr injundlcn, "That a thankf^riving fer- 
Tice fhould be perfrrmed,'' at which it wjis 
fol'emnly recommended to the troops to ailiit 
vrith that feriouHiefs and fen'ability of heart, 
which the furprifing interpofition of Providence 
in their favcni: fo juftly claimed. ^^ -- 

WHriV:ngt<MV was ii>5lcitcu5 thst the pri lon- 
ers of war fnould be well treated. By his Of^- 
ders, they were diftriboted- in the provinces c-,t " 
Viro-ini:i, Maryland, and Fennfylvania, and their 
allowance was the iUmc as that cf the Amsri- 

c^n army. tt^ ^ 

■ Congrefs voted ai% addrefs of thanks to V\ a.u- 
ingloni" Count Rochambeaw, Count d« Gralie^ 
and all the officers and foldiers of the combined 
armies for the fei vices they had performed. 
They alfo refolved, "That, in icir.embrance 
if ihe furrender of the Bridlli army, a marble 
cclamn Ihould be creeled at York Town, Vir- 
rinia, adorned with emblems of the alliance be- 
t'ween France and the United States of Ameri- 
ca, and inftribed wiih a fuccinO Accr.unt cf the^ 
HKmorable event it was intonded to eemmemo- 

-^te." . . , 

\VafIiir.f^ton now returned with thepru-iC!p:^i 



< 82 ) 

part of his army to the vicinity of New- York, 
where, as he was unable to reduce that city, he 
went into winter quarters. The only appear- 
ances of an exifting war were fome (kirmilh- 
cs and predatory excurfions. 

On the otli of May, 1762, Sir Guy Carleton 
arrived at New-York, being appointed to com- 
mand the Britifb army in Am^'rica. Immedi- 
ately on his arrival, he acquainted Wafhington 
and Congrefs, that negociations for a peace had 
commenced at Paris. Meanwhile, the Britifh 
troops evacuated all their pofts in South Caro- 
lina and Georgia, and retired to the main army 
at New-York. 

Preliminary articles of peace were figned at 
Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, by Mr. 
Fitzherbert and Mr. Ofwald, on the part of 
Great Britain, and, by Dr. Franklin, Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Jay, and Mr. Lawrens, on the part of the 
United States. By this treaty his Majefty ac- 
knowledged the Thirteen United Colonies to 
be " free, fovereign and independent States." 

As military operations were now entirely 
fufpended ; it was ne longer neceflary to keep 
the American army embodied. The States, 
however, were unable to pay them llie arrears 
due for their ineftimable services, and thofe men 
who had fpent the prime of their days in de- 
fence of their country, were now to be dismiF 
/cd without a reward. 



( 83 ) 

An attempt was made by anonymous papers^ 
to incite the officers and foldiers to revolt. 
Washington, who was then in the camp, faw 
the danger, and exerted his influence to pre- 
vent it. At a meeting of the general and field 
officers, with one officer from each company, 
the commander in Ghief addreffed them in a 
pathetic fpeech, in which he conjured them, 
"as they valued their honour, as they refpect- 
ed the rights of humanity, and as they regard- 
ed the military and national character of Ame- 
rica, to exprefs their utmoft deteftation of the 
man who was attempting to open the flood- 
gates of civil difcord, and deluge their lifing 
empire with blood. Washington then retired. 
The officers, foftened by the eloquence of their 
beloved commander, entered into a refolution, 
by which they declared, " that no circumftance 
of diftrefs or danger fhould induce a conduct 
that might tend co fully the reputation and 
glory they had acquired ; that the army contin- 
ued to have an unlhaken confidence in the juf- 
tice of Congrefs and their Country, and that 
they viewed with abhorrence, and rejected with 
difdain, the infamous propofitions in the late a- 
nonymous addrefs to the officers of the army. 
The fortitude and patriotifm of Wafliington 
were in no inftance of more effential fervice to 
America, than on this momentous occafion. 



( 61 ) . 

i n lie jd cf making the discontent of the arn)/ 
iilliumeiital to his own ambition, and iifurp- 
iiip; tl^e govermcnt, this magnanimoui pitriot 
fooihcd the palfions of his foldiers, and preferved 
inviohite the hbei ties of his country. 

Towards the clofeof the year 178j, Congrefs 
'Uned a proclamation, in which the ainiics of 
ihe United States were applauded for their 
" long eminent and faithful fcrvices,'' Con- 
nors then declared it to be their nleafute, " tliat 
inch pait of their Federal armic J as i\ood en- 
;.iged to ierv6 during the war, ihould, Irooi 
and ai'ter the 3d day of November next, be abfo- 
lutclv difch.irged from the faid fcrvrce." 

Walhington's " Farewell orders to the ar- 
mies of the United States,'' dated Rocky-Hill, 
near Princeton, iM Nov. 178:3, is :i pathetic 
exliortation, in which the dinnterellednefs ot 
t]ic Patriot is blended with tl:i3 v. ifdom of the 
Phiiofopher. — It contains the foilowing interell- 
ing and'imprelhve palfages. 

*' ft only lemains for the commander in 
Chief to addrefs himfelf once rfiore, and tor the 
l;iil time, to the aimies of the Ur.ited States, 
and to bid them an ctTocciona'.c — a long larc- 
wcll. 

" It is univerfally acknowledged, that the cn- 
lai ged profpects of happinefs opened by the el- 
tabli1]:mentofour Independai:ce, almoiloxceed 



( 85 ) 

tl^ powe? &t dercrlption ; and iliall not the 
brave men v/ho have contributed fo efTentially to 
this ineftimableiicqullitton, retiring victorious 
frora.the lielJ of war to the field of agriculture, 
participate i.a all the bleliings which hav€ been 
t>1>tained ? — In iuch a Republic, who will ex- 
clude them f.'om the rights of citizens, and the 
feuits of theif labours ?-<-To thele hardy foldl-. 
ers who are actuated by the fpirit of adventure, 
the fifheries will afford an ample and profitabl-j 
employment j and the fertile regions of the 
Weft will yield a moil happy affylum to thofe 
who, fond o-f domeilic enjoyment, are feeking 
for perfoaal independance, 

" The commander in Chief conceives little 
is now wanting to enable the foldiers to change 
the military character into that of the Citizen 5 
but that ileady and decent tenourof behaviour 
which has geiicraily diftinguilhed not only the 
army under his immediate command, but the 
diiFerent detachments and feparate armies, thro' 
the courfe of the war— from their good fenfe 
and prudence, he anticipates the happieft coa- 
feqtiences ; — and, while he congratulates theni 
on the glorioui occafion which renders their fer- 
vices in the field no longer neceflary, he wifhes 
to exprefsthe ftrong obiigations he feels himfelf 
under, for the affidance he has received from 
every clafs, and in every inftance. To the va- 
H 



( S6 ) 

rious branches of the army, the General takes 
this laft and folemn opportunity of profcfllng 
his inviolable attachment and freindlhip — lie 
wilhes more than bare profeflions were in his 
power — thathe was leally able to be ufelul to 
them in future life. And being now to con- 
clude thefehis laft public orders, to take his ul- 
timate leave, in a Ihort time, of the military 
character, and to bid a final adieu to the ar- 
mies he has fo long had thehonour to command, , 
he can only again offer, in their behalf, bis lo- 
commendations to their grateful Country, and 
his prayers to the God of Armies. May am- 
ple juftice be done them here, and may the 
choicefl of Heaven's favours both here and here- 
after attend thofe who, under the Divine auf- 
pices, have fecured innumerable blefTmgs for 
others !— With thefe wilhes, ^Ind this benedic- 
tion, the Commander in Chief is about to re- 
tire from fervice. The curtain of feparation 
will foon be drawn, and the military fcene, to 
him, will be clofed for ever." 

To this addrcfs, the army that remained at 
Weft-Point, on the banks of the Hudfon, font 
n moft refpectful and afle^ionate anfwer. After 
returning thanks to their General, for his exer- 
tions in their favour, they exprefs their feelings 
in the following bold and figurative language : 

" Regatdlefs of piefcnt fuiierings, we look- 



( 87 ) 

«d forward to the end of our toils and dangers, 
to brighter fcenes in profpe<fl:. There we be- 
held the genius of our Country dignified, by our 
Sovereignly and Independance, fupported by 
Juftice, and adorned with every liberal Virtue. 
There we faw patient Hufbandry fearlefs ex- 
tend her cultivated field, and animated Com- 
merce fpread her fails to every wind. There 
we beheld fair Science lift her head, with all the 
Arts attending in her train. There, bleft with 
Freedom, we faw the human Mind expand, and 
throwing afide the reftraints which confined it 
to the narrow bounds of country it embraced 
the world. Thofe animating profpeds are now 
changing to realites, and actively to have con- 
tributed to their production, is our pride, our 
glory." 

New- York was evacuted by the Britifh troops 
about 3 weeks after the difcharge of the Amer- 
ican army. Meanwhile, Wafliington, having 
finiflied the great work of the Revolution, and 
founded a Republic, he wifhed to retire from the 
eye of obfervation, to the peaceful rural fhades 
jf his patrimonial inheritance. Accordingly, 
,ie took leave of his officers in the moft folemn 
Banner. Having been previ ously aflembled 
brthatpurpofe, Washington joined them, and 
:aUing for aglafs of wine addreffed them in the 
■oUowing words : " With a heart full of love 



( 88 ) 

and rralltude, I now take leave of yow :— I 
moft devoutly with, x\v.n your Uuter day. may 
be profpeinusar.d happy, as your farmer onvs 
, have been glorious and honourable. i Ue 

^ oflkers were deeply ■^S^aed ; --they can.e up to 
him luctfuvely, aud he took an aftfci.onale 
leivc of each. He then left the rr.om, and pil- 
led between the r;irks rf a corps cnight Inlan- 
tiy, that lined his ^vay to the- fide oi the North 
River —The rfficc '. follcxvcd him in a toirnm 
nient train ; their eyes vcte fufF.led vnth. tears. 
They felt a ftrong emotion of repret t-t p.iUmg 
^v;:h a hero Nvbo had participated their dar.- 
j.ers, andfootienled them to pjlory. \^rhen 
Waniinpton entered tlie barge, he turned to- 
wards his fellow-foldiers, with a countenance 
exprefifive of his feelings, and waved lus hat as 



a laft adieu. , . 

Ke proceeded to Annapohs, to rcfign his. 
commimon to Congrefs, and was accompanied: 
by his nephew. Major George \va(h.ngton„ 
and Colonel Humplireys, bis aid-de-camp.— 
His progrefs was marked by public rejo.cmgs ; 
triumphal arches were erected at the entrance .i 
every town and village through which he pnl- 
fed A number of beautiful young v.rgins, ro- 
bed in white, met him with fongs of gratula- 
lion-theyllrewed laurel before the benign hero, 
vOio moved slowly, on a wl)lte charger, 1 he 



( S9 ) 

name of Wafiiington excited an univerfal emo- 
tion. Women and children thronged the doors 
and windows, easier to behold the Deliverer of 
their Country — bands of mufic filled the air 
with fprlghtly melody, while the men, who had 
fought under the banners of Liberty hailed 
their General with acclamations. Wafliington 
received this tribute of public gratitude with his 
charaderiftic benignity while his bofom partici- 
pated the general happinefs. 

On his arrival at Annapolis, he informed 
Congrefs of his intended refignation ; — they rc- 
folved it fiiculd be in a public audience, and on 
the day oppointed, numbers of diftinguilhed 
perfons attended, to behold the interefting 
fcene. General Walhington addreiled the Pie- 
fident in the following words. 
Mr. Prefident, " 

"The great events on v/hich my refignation 
depended, having at length taken place, I have 
now the honour of offering my fmcere congratu- 
lations to Congrefs, and of prefenting ray felf be- 
fore them to funender into their hands the truft 
committed to me, and to claim the indulgence 
of retiring ft om the fervice of my country. 

" Happy in the confirmation of our indepen- 
dence and Sovereignty, and pleafed with the op- 
portunity afforded the United States of becom- 
frig a Vefpeclable nation, I refign with fatisfac- 
H 2 



.( 90 ) 

tton, the appointment I accc|>tcd with difTiJencc ; 
a difHdence in my abilities to iiccomplifh so ar- 
duous a talk, which however, was fuperccded by 
a confidence in the rectitude of our caufe, the 
fupport of the Supreme Power of the Union, and 
the patronage of Heaven. 

" The succefsful termination of the war has 
verified the mofl: f.mguine cxpe<5lations, and my 
gratitude for the intcrpofilion of Providence, 
and the afiiftance I have icceived from my 
country-men, increafes with every review of the 
momentous conteft. 

" While I repeat my obligations to the army 
in general, 1 fhould do injuftice to my own feel- 
ings, not to acknowledge, in this place, the pe- 
culiar services and diftinguiOied inerits of the 
perfons who had been attached to my perfon 
during the war : It was impoffible tliJ choice 
of confidential officers to compofe my family 
fhould have been more fortunate; permit me, 
.Sir, to rcccommend, in j5:nticular, Lhofe who 
have continued in the fcrvicc toilic prcfent mo- 
ment, as worthy of die favourable notice and 
pationage of Congrcl?. 

" I confider it as my i lulil pen fi ble duty to 
clofe this hdi folemn act of my oflicial life, by 
recommendi.'gthe interelh of cur dcareft coun- 
try to tlio protection of Alnighiy G<";d, and 
thofe who have the firpcrinrer.Joiicc ol them to 
. -s holy keeping. 



( 91 ) 

" Having now finilhed the work affigned me, 
I retire from the great theatre of adlion, and 
bidding an affe(5lionate farewell to this auguft 
body, under whofe orders I have long aifled, 1 
here offer my commiflion, and take my leave of 
all the employments of public life.*' 

To this the Preiident returned the following 
anfwer : 

" The United States in Congrefs afTembled, 
receive with emotions too affedling for utterance, 
the folemn refignation of the authorities under 
v/hich you have led their troops with succels, 
through a perilous and doubtful war. 

" Called upon by your Country to defend its 
invaded rights, you had accepted the facred 
charge before it had formed alliances, and 
whilO: it was without freinds or a goverment to 
fupport her, 

'• You have conducted the great military con- 
teft with wisdom and fortitude, invariably re- 
garding the rights of the civil power through 
all difafters and changes. You have by the 
love and con6dence of your fellow-citizens, en- 
abled them to dlfplay their martial genius and 
trasmic their fame to pofterlty. — Having de- 
fended the ftandard of Liberty in this new 
world, having taught a lefTon ufeful to thofe who 
inflitfl, and to thole who feel oppreffion, you re- 
tire from the great theatre of action with the 



{ 92 ) 

blefilng of our fellow citizens ; but the ^'lory of 
your virtues will not terminate with }our jnlli- 
tary command — it will continue to animate 
rcmoteft ages.'' 

Wafhington now haftened to mount Vernon, 
where he was welcomed by his affe(ftionalc con- 
fort, neighbors and domeftics, with every de^ 
monflration of joy ; and diveRing hiqjfelf ( f the 
military robe, he once more alTumed the plain 
garb of the faimer. 

Agriculture was his favourite purfult — Plis 
eftate at Mount Vernon particubrly engaged his 
attention, and was produdive of large quantities 
of wheat, Indian coin, potatoes, and flax, befides 
flocks of flieep and herds of cattle. — His life 
was regulated by temperance ; he rofe early, and 
after fpending tlie day in a vniiety of rural pur- 
fuits, l;c retired to reft about nine o'clock. This 
was his invariable rule, except v.hen visiters re- 
quired his polite attention. His table was fpread 
with the moll wholcfome viands and pure wines, 
hut he commonly dined on a fnglc difli, wliich 
v.iih a few glasses of wine, formed his rrpafl. 
He liberally patronized an acadcR'^y at Alex- 
andria, encouraged tlie interior j^ivigaiioiiyof 
the Potomac k ; He was the bencO.ctor of the 
poor, and, in fhort,.likc the fun to vegetation. 
Ills cheering influence and example pT-ffiioted the 

''nppineU <^i' fociotv v].,^rr ] r r.-f J"J. 



( 93' ) 

In thefe peacefal fcengs, Waftim^^ton enjoyed 
the laiional delights of rural life from the year 
1783, till the fum mer of 1 787, when he was cho- 
fen President of the Convention, which met at 
Philadelphia, and framed the prefent Conftitu- 
tion of the United Stites. The Federal Union, 
after eleven years experience, had been found 
inadequate to the purpofes of goverment. The 
fundamental distinction between the Articles ot 
Confederation, and the new Conftitution, lies in 
this ; the former afted only on States, the latter 
on individuals ;— the former could neither rade 
menor moneybyitsownauthority, but layatthe 
discretion of 13 different Uglslatures, and, with- 
out their unanimous concurrence, was unable to 
provide for the public faf^^ty, or for the payment 
of the national debt. By the new Conftitution, 
one Legislative, Executive, and Judicial power 
pervades the whole Union." After a full con- 
fideration,and thorough difcuffion of its princi- 
ples, it was ratified by 1 1 of the 13 States, and 
North Carolina and Rhode Idand have fmce 
given their concurrence. 

The new Conftitution being thus adopted, 
WaOiington was chofen Prefide^t in April, 1789, 
by the unanimous vote of his countrymen. 
When he received intelligence of his eledion, he 
«et out from Mount Vernon for New-York He 
v/as efcortffd by the militia and gentlemen of the 



' ( 94 ; 

firft charat^er from State to State, and numer- 
ous addiefles of Con^r^itulation were prefented 
to him by the inhabitants of the towns through 
which he pafTed. On his approach to Philsulcl- 
phia, he was met by abov<^ 20,000 citizens, who 
conduifled him to the city, where an elegant en- 
tertiinment was prepared for him. 

His progrefs from. Philactlphia to New-York 
is thus disci ibed by an elegant writer, and pre- 
fents an animated picture of public gratitude. 
" When Mr. Wafiiington croffed the Delaware 
and landed on the Jerfey (liore, he was faluted 
with 3 cheers by the inhabitants of the vicinity. 
When he came to the brow of the hill on his 
way toTrenton, a triumphal arch was erefted on 
the bridge, by the diredlion of the ladies of the 
place. The crown of the arch was highly or- 
namented with imperial laurels and flowers, and 
on it was difplayed, in large figures, " Decem- 
ber 26th, 17"6." On the fweep of the arch, was 
this infcription, " The Defender of the Mothers 
willalfo prote^ their Daughters." On the north 
fide were ranged a n\m:tber of younggirlsdrcff- 
ed in white, with garlands of flowers on their 
heads, and bafkets of flowers on their arms — in 
the fecond row ftood the younpj ladies, and be- 
hind them the married ladies uf the town. The 
inftant he pafled the arch, tlie young girls be- 
jan lo fing the following ode : 



I 9o ) 

*^ Welcome, raic^hty Chief, once more^ 
** Welcome to lliis n;rateful shore : — 
** Now no mercenary foe 
** Aims, again, the fatal blov — 
*' Aims at thee the fatal blow. 
*' Yh'^ms fair, and matrons grave, 
" These thy conq'ring aiin did save, 
^ Build for thee liiiuaphant bowers ; 
*^ Strew ye fair, his way with ilowers, 
'• Strew your Hero's way with flowers." 
** As they fmig the lafl: lines, tiiey ftrewed 
their flowers on the road before their beloved 
Deliverer. — His fituation on this occafion, con= 
trafted with what be had, in December 1776, 
felt on the fame fpot, when the affairs of Amer- 
ica were at the loweft ebb of depreftmn, filled 
him with fenfations that cannot be defcribcd. 
He was rowed acrofs the bay from Elizabeth- 
Town to New-Yoik, in an elegant barge, by 13 
pilots. All the relTels in the harbour hoi (led 
their flags. On his landing, iir.iverfiil joy diffu-- 
fed itfelf thro' every order of the people, and 
he was received and congratulated by the Gov- 
ernor of the State and ofHcers of the Corpora- 
tion. In the evening, the houfes of the inhabi- 
tants were brilliantly illuminated. 

On the 30th of April he was inaugurated- 
Prefident of the United States, and took the oath 
enjoined by the Conftituticn, in tb'e following- 
words," I do folemnly fwear, that I will faith- 



( 96 ) 

fully execute the office of Prefidcnt ot the Uni- 
ted States, and will, to the heft of my ability 
proted and defend the Conftituticn of the Uni- 
ted "States." An univerfal and folemn filenc*: 
prevailed among the ipedators during this part, 
cf the ceremony. The Chancellor then pro- 
claimed h.im Prcfulent of the United States, ar.d 
was anfvvered by ihedifchaige cf cannon, and 
the acclamations cf 'J0,000 citizens. 

Soon after his appointment to the Chief Ma- 
gi Ilracy, he visited the Eadern States, witli u 
view to promote agriculture, and explore the 
ir.eans of national improvement. The French 
Revolution, which has excij^d the attention ci 
mankind, proved a fevere teR. to the piudencc 
»f Wafhington. Tho* he fccietly difapprovcJ 
of the violent meafures of the French Republic, 
)et he faw that it was necefTaryfor America to 
preferve a mutual good under iianding with that 
Tiation. 

Walhington was twice cle<51ed Frefident, and 
■duiinghis S years adminifiraiion, he perform.- 
ed the duties of iiis arduous office with all tlic 
zeal of an honell patriot. — After having fpent 
A5 yccirs of his life in the fervice of his country, 
he, in September, 1796, announced his deter- 
mination to retire, in an addrds, expreffiv© of 
his gratitude and afTedion. 

V/afhinirtoncnce more retired to his farour- 



( 97 ) 

ite feat, v>lLh the hope of devoting the remaiti- 
der of his days to the calm duties of domeftie 
life. From March, 1797, to July 1798, he en- 
joyed the pleasures ariiing from the pradice cf 
virtue. Tiie aggreffions of France now alarna- 
ed Mr. Adams's adminlflration, and tha: 
they mirht be prepared to refill open hoftility, 
they found it expedient to embody their arffiy> 
Convinced of tlie abilities and integrity of that 
venerable man, whofe valour had been inftiUi 
mental to the emancipation of his country, Ccn- 
grefs appointed Wafiiington Commander In 
Chief of the Armies. He .iccepted the oppoint- 
ment, and his letter to the Pretident on that oc- 
cafipn, is marked with that peifpicuity which 
diilinguifhes all his writings. 

Bur the moment now approached in which 
this iUulbious chara(fter was to be removed to 
another ftate of exiftence. On the 12th of De- 
cember, 1799, he rode out to one of his planta- 
tions, and the day being rainy he caught cold, 
which brought on aninllamniatory foie throat. 
This difeafe becam.e alarming on Friday night, 
and when his phyfician ai rived on Saturday 
morning, medical aid was inefficacious. A few 
minutes before he expired, he enquired, *' Dcc- 
ter, how lon£r am I to remain in this fiiuaiion ?** 
The phyfician replied, " Not long Sir.'' 

A gentleman, who was prefeat at Mount 
I 



( 98 ) 

Vernon, has furniflicJ us with the following 
particulars relative to the death of General 
Wadiington : — 

" The General, a little before his death, had 
begun feveral improvements on his farm. At- 
tending to fome of thefe, he probably caught 
his death. He had in contemplation a gravel 
walk on the banks of the Potomack ; between 
the walk and the river there was to be a fifh" 
pond. Some trees were to be cut down, and 
others preferved. On Friday the day before he 
died, he fpent fome time by the fide of the ri- 
ver marking the former. There came a fall of 
fnow, which did not deter him from his purfuit, 
but he continued till his neck and hair were 
quite covered with fnow. He fpent the even- 
ing with Mrs. Waihington, reading the news- 
papers, which came by the mail that evening ; 
he went to bed as ufual about 9 o' clock, waked 
up in the night, and found himfelf extremely 
unwell, but would not allow Mrs. Wafhington 
to get up, or the ferVantsto be waked. In the 
morning, finding hlmfclf very ill. Dr. Craik of 
Alexandria, was fenc for. Soon after his arri- 
val, two confulting phyficians were called in, 
but all would not avail. On Saturday he died. 
He faid to Col. Lear a little before his death, 
*' bury me decently, and not till two days after 
my deccafc.*' — ^l^o Dr. Craik he faid. *'Idiea 



( 99 ) 

very hard death, but I am not afraid to die.''-^ 
Before he breathed his laft, he laid himfelf on 
his back, placed his hands before him, and clo- 
sed his own mouth and eyes." 

Philadelphia. Dec. 19, 
On Saturday the 14th inft, died at his feat 
in Virginia, General George Wafhington, Com- 
mander in Chief of the Armies, and late Prefi- 
dent of the Congrefs, of the United States of 
America— mature in years, coverdwith glory, 
and rich in the affections of ajree people, and 
the admiration of the whole civilized world. 

When men of common charader are fwept 
from the theatre of life, they die without the 
tribute of public concern, as they had lived with- 
out a claim to public efteem — But when Per- 
fonages of great and exalted worth, are fum- 
monedfrom this fublunary fcene, their death 
calls forth a burft of general regret, and invigo- 
rates the flame of public gratitude— In obedi- 
ence therefore to the voice of their Country, the 
Poet, the Orator, and the Hiftorian, will com- 
bine to do juftice to the charader of this illuftri- 
ous Patriot ; whilft the ingenious labours of 
the Sculptor, the Statuary, and the Painter, 
tvill unite in perpetuating the virtues of Th^ 
Man of the Age. 

Mourn, Columbia, mourn ! — Thy Father 
^nd Protedlor is no more !— Mourn Reader, of 



( 100 ) 

whatever kindred, tonj^ue or clime ihou be, thy 
Friend, the Friend of M^n and of Liberty, is 
gone ! — The Hero, the Sngc, the Patriot, tliis 
glorious emanation of the Deity, is carried back 
to the bofom of his God !— The recording An- 
jrcl has enrcgiftercd his virtuous deeds in Hea- 
ven, and the name of WASHINGTON will 

live for ever ! 

ALcrAND;nA, Dec. 20. 

On V/ednrfuay laft the mortal part of Wafli- 

ington the Great — the Fatlier of his Country, 

and the Fiiendof Man~v;as configned to the 

filent tomb with folemn honours and ianeral 

pomp. 

A multitude of people, from many miles round, 
afiembled at Mount Vernon, the choice abode, 
and laft earthly rcfidence of its illuftrious Chief. 
There were tli9groves, thefpacious avenues, the 
beautiful fcenety, the noble raanficn — but alas! 
its auguft inhabitant was gone ! — his body in- 
deed, was there, but his foul was fled ! 

In the long and lofty portico, where oft the 
Hero walked in all his virtuous glory, now lay 
the fhrouded corpse. — The countenance, ftill 
compofed and ferene, feemed to exprefs the 
dignity of that fpirit which fo lately a^kuated 
the lifelefs form — There, thofe who paid the 
lad fad honours to the Benefaftor of his Coun- 
try, took a laft — a fad farewell. 



( 101 ) 

Near the head of the coffin, were infcrlbed the 
words Surge ad yud'iclum ; about the middle, 
Gloria Deo ; and, on the filver plate, General 
George IViiJIjington departed this Life lil/j Dec^ 
JEtat Q%. 

Between 3 and 4 o'clock, che found of artil- 
lery from a veiTwl in the river firing minute 
guns, aronfed all our forrowful feehngs — the 
body was moved, and a band of mufic with 
mournful melody, melted the foul into all the 
tendernefs of woe.- — The proceflion marched 
in the following order ; 
Cavalry, Infantry, & Guard v^-itharmsreverfed ; 

Clergy ;- Mufic ; 

The General's horfe, with his fiddle, liolflers, 
Y%: and piftols ; 

tol. Slmms, C 3 7 Col. Gilpin, 

Rnrnfay, ) ^ > Marfteller, 

Payne, (. f* J Little ; 

Mourners ; 

Mafonic Brethren ; 

And Citizens. 

When the proceffion arrived at the botiom 

of the lawn on the hanks of the Potomack, where 

the family vault is placed, the Cavalry halted, 

and the Infantry marched towaids the moupt- 

and formed in lines ; the Clergy, the Mafonic 

Brethren, and the Citizens, defcended to the. 

vault, where the Churcli funeral fervJce was 

performed. i'l ' 



( 162 ) 

Three general diicharges by the artiller) > 
cavalry, and infantry, paid the laft tribute of le- 
fpeft to the entonibed Commander in Chief of 
the American Armies. 

The Sun was now fetting — Alas, the Son of 
Glory was fet — No, the name of Wash ington 
■will live for ever ! 

From Vernon's Mount behold the Hero rife 

Rcfplendent Forms attend him thro' the fkies ! 

'I'he fhades of war-worn Veterans round him throng, 

And lead cnwrap'd their honour'd Chief along. 

A laurel wreath the immortal Warren bears. 

An arch triumphal Mercer's hand prepares ; 

Youn^ LAWRrNcE, crftth' avenging bolt of war. 

With port majeftic, guides the glittering car ; 

Monvcomery's godlike form dircviils the way, 

And Green unfolds the gates of endlels day; 

Whilft Angels, " trumpet tongu'4'' proclaim thro' 

air, 

•'Due Honours for The First of Men prepare!" 

PROCEEDINGS IN CONGRESS, 

House of representatives. 

Thursday Dec. 19, 17?J9. 

Mr Marfhall addrefTed the Chair as follows : 

*' Mr. Speaker — The melancholy event which 

was yefterday announced with doubt, has been 

rendered but too certain. Our Walhington Is 

no more ! — The hero, tiie fiige, and the patriot 

of America — the man on whom in times of 

danger, every eye was turned, and all hopes 

were placed, lives now, only in his own great 



( 103 ) 

anions, and in the hearts of an aiFedionate and 
an afflifted people. 

** If, Sir, it had even not been iifual, openly 
to teftify refped for the memory of thofe whom 
Heaven had feleded as its inftruments for dif- 
penfing good to men, yet, fuch has been the 
uncommon worth, and fuch the extraordinary 
incidents, which have marked the life of him, 
whofe lofs we all deplore, that the whole Ame- 
rican nation, impelled by the fame feelings, 
would call with one voice, for a public manifes- 
tation of that forrow, which is fo deep and fo 
univerfal. 

" More than any other individual, and as 
much as to one individual was poffible, has he 
contributed to found this our wide fpreading 
Empire, and to give to the Weftern Woild its 
independence and freedom. 

" Having effedted the great objefi, for which 
he was placed at the head of our armies, v/e 
have feen him converting tlie fword into the 
plough-fhare, and voluntarily fmking the Sol- 
dier into the Citizen. 

"When the debility of our Federal fyllem 
had become manifeft, and the bonds, which con- 
nedled the parts of this vail continent, were 
diffolving, we have fecn him the Chief of thofe 
Patriots who formed for us a Conftitution, which 
by preferving the Union, will, I truft, fubfcan 



^ ( loi ) 

tiale and perpetuate llinfe blelTings, which our 
Revolution had promlfed to beflow. 

" In obediance to the general voice of his 
Country, caUing on him to prcfide over a Great 
People, we have feen him once more quit the 
retirement lie loved, and in a feafon more tem- 
peftuous than war itftflf, with calm and wife de- 
terminalion, purfue the true iiitcrefts of the 
Mation, and contribute, more than afty other 
could contribute, to the cftablifliment c£ that 
fyflem ol policy, which will, I truft, yet pre- 
fer ve our peace, our honour, and our indepen- 
dence. 

" Having been tv.-ice unanlmowlly cliofen the 
Chief Mrigirtrate of a Free People, we fee liim, 
at a time when his re-eleilion with univerfal 
ftiftrage could not be doubled, affording to uie 
world a rare inftance of moderation, by with- 
drawing from his high ftation to the peaceful 
v/alks of private life. 

" Hov»'cvcr the public confi Jcncs may ciiari2,e 
:ind the pulilic affoclions fiuduate with rtipeot 
to others, yet, with refpesft to him, they have 
in war and in peace, in public and in private 
y-fcf been as fleady as his own lirm mind, a;ul 
.s conflant as his own exalted viitues. 

*♦ L?t u;, then, Ivlr. Speiker, pay the iaft tri- 
i>'ite of afFe(5lion and refp-ift to our depirteJ 
Friend — Let the Grand Council of ibc Nation 



( 105 ) 

difpky thofe fentiments which the Nation feels 
— For this purpofe I hold In my hand feme Re- 
folutions, which I take the liberty of offering 
to the Houfe." 

Mr. Marfhall having handed his Refolutions 
to the Clerk, they were read, and unanimously 
agreedto, as follows, viz. 

Refolved, That this Houfe vt^IIi wait on the 
Prefident of the United States, In condolence 
. of this mournful event. 

Refolved, That the Speaker's chair be fhroud- 
ed with black, and that the me'Tibers and OiH« 
ceis of the Floufs wear black during the Sef- 
fion. 

Refolved, That a Cmmittee, in conjunction 
with one from the Senate, be appointed to con- 
iider on the rnoft fuitable manner of paying 
honour to the memory of the Man, firft in war, 
firft in peace, and fiift in the hearts of his 
Countrymen. 

Monday, Dee, 23. 

Mr Marfiiall made a report from the joint 
Committee appointed to confider a fuitable 
mode of commemorating the death of General 
Wafhington. 

He reported the following Refolutions ; 

Refolved by the Senate and Houfe of Repre- 
fentatlves of the United States of America, in 
Congrefs aifembled, That a marble monument 



( 106 ) 

be ere«5led by the United States at the Capitol 
of the City of Wafhington, and that the fami- 
ly of General Wafliington be requefted to per- 
mit his body to be depofited under it j and that 
the monument befo defigned as to commemo- 
rate the great events of his military and politi- 
cal life. 

And be it further refoled, That there be a 
funeral proceflion from Congrefs Hall, to the 
German Lutheran Church, in memory of Gen. 
George Wafhington, on Thurfday the 26th inft. 
and that an oration be prepared at the requeft 
of Congrefs, to be delivered before both Houfes 
that day ; and that the Prefident of the Senate, 
and Speaker of the Houfe of Reprefentatives, 
be defired to requeft one of the Members of 
Congrefs to deliver the fame. 

And be it further refolved. That it be recom- 
mended to the people of the United States, to 
wear crape on their left arm as mourning, for 
thirty days. 

And be it further refolved. That the Prefident 
of the United States be requefted to direct a 
copy of thefe Refolutions to be trafmitted to 
Mrs. Wafliington, afluring her of the profound 
refpedl Congrefs will ever bear to her perfon 
and charader, of their condolence on the late 
afFe<51ing difpenfation of Providence, and in- 
treating her afTent to the interment of the re- 



( 107 ) 

inains of General Wafhington in the mannei^ 
expreiTed in the firft Refolution. 

And be it further refolved, that the FteCi- 
dent of the United States be requefted to ifTue 
his proclamation, notifying to the People thro'- 
out the United States the recommendation 
contained in the third refolution. 

Thefe Refolutions paffed both Houfes una- 
nimously; 

Same day, the Senate fent the following let- 
ter of condolence to the prefident of the United 
States, by a Gommitte of its Members : 
7b the Prefident of the United States. 

THE Senate of the United States refpedful- 
ly take leave, Sir, toexprefsto you the deep re- 
gret for the lofs their country fu ftains in the 
death of General George Wafhington. 

This event, fo diftrefllng to all oiir fellow citi- 
zens muft be peculiarly heavy to you, who have 
long been aflbciated with him in deeds of Patri- 
btifm. Permit us, Sir, to mingle our tears with 
yours — on this occadon it is manly to weep. 
To lofe fuch a man, at fuch a crifis, is no com- 
mon calamity to the world — our Country 
mourns her Father. The Almighty Difpofer 
of human events has taken from us our greateft 
Benefadlor and Ornament — It becomes us to fub- 
mit with reverence to Him, who "maketh 
iarknefs his pavilion." 



( 103 ) 

V/ith patjlctlc pride, \ve rcwiw iheiile cl our 
'VV^ASHiNGTON, uiul compafe him with thcfe of 
other countries, who have been pre-eminent in 
fame. Ancfient and modern names are demin- 
Hhedbe'bre him. Greatneis and Guilt have tc 
often been allied ; but his fame is whiter than i 
is brilliant. The dellroyers of nations fiood l 
balhed at the mnjcH)' ol" his viriue. — It reprc- 
ved the i.ne:nperance of their anihition, and dar- 
kened the fpk-ndour of victory. The fccne is 
clofed, and we are no longer anrious It-ft mif- 
fortune Ihowld fully his glory ; he livs travelled 
on to the end of his j-'iumey, and carried with 
him an increafing weight of honour; he has de- 
pofitcd it fafely, where Misfortune cannot lar- 
nilh it — Where Malice cannot blaft it. Favour- 
ed of Heaven, he departed without exhibiting 
the weaknefs oi' huma.iity ; magnanimous iu 
death, the J. I :k fit f> of llic q-ravecould notobfcurc 
his brightiiCis. f 

Such was the Man whom we deplore. — 

Thanks to God, hi^ glory is confummated — 
Washington yet lives on earth in his fpotlefs 
example — his fpirit is in Heaven ! 

Let his countrymen confecrate the memory 
of the heroic General — the patriotic St^^e^man 
.«— and the virtuous Sage ; — let them teach 
their children never to foiget, that the fruits oi 
his labour , and his c:(aniple aie their inheri- 
tance. 



( 109 } 

2i6^ President's Answ'er. 
Gentlemtn of the Senate, 

I RECEIVE, with the moft repei5lful and aiFec- 
toinate lentlments, in thisimpreffive Addrels, th* 
obliging expreffions of your regret for the lofs 
our Country has fuftained, in the death of he-r 
fnoH: efteemed, beloved, and admired Citizen. 

In the multitude of my thoughts and recol- 
ledions on this melanchoUy event, you will pei = 
mit me to fay, that 1 have feen him in the days 
of adverfity, in forne of the fcenes of his deepeft 
diftrefs, and mofl; trying perplexities ; I have al- 
fo attended him in liis higheO: elevaticn, and 
inolf profperous felicity, with uniform admira- 
tion of hrs wifdom, moderation, and conllancy. 

Among all our original afTociates in that me- 
morable League of the continent in 1774^, which 
firfl exprefied the foveroign will of a Free Nation 
in America, he was the only one remaining in 
the General Government. Altho', with a con- 
ftitution more enfeebled than his, at an age 
when he thought it necefl^iry to prepare for re- 
tirement, I feel myfjlf alone — bereaved of my 
laft brother ; yet I derive a ftrong confolation 
fiom the unanimous difpofition which appears 
in all ages and clafles, to mingle their forrows, 
with mine on this common calamity to the 
world. 

The life of our Washington cannot fufFe? 
K 



( 110 ) 

uy a compaiiron wiih thofe of other countiie!', 
vho have been moil celebrated and exalted by 
Fame. The attributes and decorations of /^9y- 
aliy could only have fcrved to eclipfc the majcf- 
ty of thofe virtues which made him, from being 
a modeft Ciiizert, a more lefplendant luminary. 
Mijfortune, had he lived, could hereafter have 
falUed his glory only with thofe fuperficial 
minds, who, believing " that chara(5ters, and ac- 
tionb are marked by fuccefs alone,'' rarely de- 
serve to enjf)y n. A/ulice could never blast his 
lionour, and Knvy made him a singular excep- 
tion to her univers.ll rule — For himself, he had 
lived enouj^h to Life and Glory — For his fellow- 
cirizens, if their prayers could have been answer- 
ed, Ire would hnve been immortal — ^For me, his 
departure is at a most unfortunate moment. 
Trusting;, however, in the wise and righteous 
dominion of Pio\ idencc i • cr the passions ot men, 
and the resuiis ot" their councils and actions, a«- 
well as over their lives, nothing remains forme 
but humble re.i;^nalion. 

His cxunjplc IS now complete, and it will teach 
wisdom and viitue tf» nuigistrates, citizens, and 
men, not only in the jircsent age, but in fultne 
generations, as long as our history shall be read 
— If a Trdgen found a Phny,a Marcus Avn-elius 
can never Want bioPTaphers, eulo^^^ists, or histo- 
rians. ' JOHN ADAMS. 

On mond Ay the 8ih of January, the President 
fient tlie folJowi'i^ ktlcrs to Congress :— 



( 111 ) 

Gentlemen of the Senate^ and 

Gentlemen of the Houfe of Reprefenfatli^et. 

In compliance with the request in one of the 
Resolutions of Congress of the 21st of December 
last, I transmitted a copy of tliosc Resolutions, by 
my secretary, Mr. Shaw, to Mrs. Washington, 
assming her of the profound respect Congress 
will ever bear to her person and character— of 
their condolence in the late affiicting dispens?-- 
tion of Providence, aiid entreating her assent to 
the interment of the remains of General George 
Washington in the manner expressed in th6 
first Resolution. As the sentiments of that vir- 
tuous lady, not less beloved by this nation, than 
she is at present greatly afiiicted, can never be so 
well expressed .as in her own words, I transmit 
to Congress her original letter. 

It would be an attempt of too much delicacy to 
mahe any comments upon it — But there can be 
no doubt, that the Nation at large, as well as all 
the branches of the Goverment, will be highly 
gratified by any arrangement which may dimin- 
ish the sacrifice she makes of her individual 
feelings. JOHN ADAMS. 

Mrs. Washington's Answer. 
Sir, Mount Vernon, 3 1st Dec, 1799. 

W^hile I feel, with keenest anguish, the late 
dispensations of Divine Providence.. I cannot be 
insensible to the mournful tribute of respect and 
veneration which is paid to ths memoiy of my 
dear deceased husband ; and, as his best services 
aod most anxious wishes were alwa^ devoted t<> 



( "2 ) 

!e welfare and liappincss of his country, to know 
iliat they were truly appreciated, and gratefully 
romenibercd, affords no inconsiderable consola- 
tion. 

Taught by the great exr.ir^ple which I have 
so long had before mc,n ever to opp>ose my pri- 
vate wishes to the public will, I must consent to 
ihe request made by Congress, which you have 
liad the goodness to transmit to me. And, in 
doing this, I need not, I cannot say* whin a sacrir 
jice of individual fceljng I make ta a sense of 
public duty. 

With grateful acknowledgements, and un- 
feigned thanks, for the pei sonal respect and evi- 
dences of condolence expressed by Congress and 
Yourself, I remain verv respectiuilv. 

MARTHA WASIiiNGTON. 



THE 

FAREWELL ADDRESS 

OF 

George Washington. 

Friends and Fellmv-Ciiiztrut^ 

THE period for a new election of a citizen, 
to administer the executive government of the 
United States, being not far distant, and the 
time actually arrived, when your th.oughts must 
be employed in designating the person who is to 
jbc clothed with that important trust, it appears 



( il3 ) 

to 'tT>(>. proper, especially as it mav conduce to ii 
inore distinct expresbion of the public voice, ih^t 
I sliouici now appiise you of the resolution I have 
formed, to decline being considered among the 
number of those out of whom a cbcice is to be 
made. I beg you, at the same time, to do me 
the justice to be assured, thiU this resolutron has 
not been taken, without a strict regard to all the 
considerations appertaining to the relation which 
binds a dutiful citizen to his country ; and that, 
in withdrawing the tender of service which silence^ 
in my situation might imply, I am influenced by 
no diminution of zeal for your future interest; 
no deficiency of grateful respect, for your past 
kindae-ss ; but am supported by a full conviction 
that the step is compatible Yvith both. 

The acceptance of, and continuance hitherto 
in the office to which your suft'ruges have tv.'ice 
called me, have been a uniform sacrifice of in- 
clination to the opinion of duty, and to a deference 
for v/hat appeared to be your desire. I constant- 
ly hoped, that it would have been much earlier 
in my power, consistent with motives which I was 
not at liberty to disregard, to return to ihat re- 
tirement from which 1 had been reluctantly 
drawn. The strength of my inclination to do 
this, previous to the last election, liad even led 
to the preparation of an address to declare it to 
you ; but niature reflection on the then perplex- 
ed and critical posture of our alTairs with foreign 
nation*;, d.nd the unaninioua advice of pcr'-ons 

K 2 



( H^- ) 

entitled to my conndcnce, impelled me to aban- 
don the idea. 

I rejoice that the state of yonr concerns, ex- 
ternal as well as internal, no longer renders the 
pu-.'suit of inclinalion incompatible with the sen- 
timent of duty, or propriety; and am persuaded, 
whatever p:\rtiality may be retained for my ser- 
vices, that in the present circumstances of ou;- 
country, you will not disapprove my determination 
to retire. 

The impressions with wliich I first undertook 
the arduous trust, were explained on the proper 
occcision. In the dischari^e of tliis trust, I wiil 
only say, that I have with p;ood intentions, con- 
tributed towards the ori^anization and administra- 
tion of the government, the best exertions of 
which a very fallible judi;iT.cn*: was capable. 
Not unconscious, in the out&et, of the inferiority 
of my qualification?, experience in my own eyes, 
perhaps still more in the eyes of others, has 
strengthened the motives to diffidence of my- 
relf ; and, every day the encreasing weight of 
years admonishes me more and more that the 
shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it 
•will he welcome. Satisfied that if any circum- 
srances have given peculiar value to my services, 
they were temporary, I have the consolation to 
believe, that while choice and piiKlence inviie 
me to quit the political scene, patriolism does 
not forbid it. 

In looking forward to tb.e moment, which is: 
i.itcndcd to terminate the career of my public 



( 11# ) 

life, my feelings do not permit me to suspend 
the deep acknowledgment of that debt of grati- 
tude which I owe to my beloved country, for 
the many honors it has conferred upon me ; still 
more for the stedf.ist confidence with which it 
has supported me ; and for the opportunities I 
have thence enjoyed of manifesting my inviola- 
ble att'?xbn\ent, by services faithful and pei seve- 
ring, tho in usefulness unequal to my zcah If 
benefits have resulted to our country from these 
services, let it always be remembered to your 
praise and as an instructive example in our an- 
nals, that under circumstances in which the pas- 
sions, agitated m every direction, were liable to 
mislead, amiidst appearances sometimes dubi- 
ous — vicissitudes of fortune often discouraging 
— -in situations in which not unfrequentiy want oi" 
success has countenanced the spirit of criticism 
' — the constancy of your, support was the essen- 
tial prop of the efforts, and a guarantee of tho 
plans l:>y which they v/ere efliscted. 

Profoundly penetrated with this idea, I sliall 
carry it with me to my grave, as a strong incite- 
ment to unceasing vows that Heaven may con- 
tinue to you the choicest tokens pf its beneficence 
— ^that your union and brotherly affectiori uvyy be 
perputual— »that the free constitution which is 
the work of your hands, may be saciedly 
maintained — that its administration in every de- 
partment may be stamped with wisdom and vir- 
tue — that, in fine, the happiness of the people of 
these States under the atispices of liberty, nia)" 



( 11« ) 

lie niatli: complclc> by so carcfvil a prcRervation 
and ho prudent a use of this blessing, as will ac- 
<)uire to them the glory of roconmicnding- it to 
ibiC applause, the clVcctioii and the adoption of 
every nation "which is yet a btiangci' to it. 

Here perhaps I ought to stop. Iku a f?olicif 
tude for your Nveliare, \vhich cannot end but with 
my life, and the apprehension of danger, natui*al 
to that solicitudc,ui-ge nic on an occasion like the 
present, to ofFer to your solemn contemplation, 
and lo recommend to your frequent review, some 
sentiments, which arc the result of much reflec- 
tion, ofno inconsiderable observation, and which 
appear to me all important to the pernKinency of 
vour felicity as a People. The^e will be offered 
to you with the more freedom, as you can only 
see in them the disinterested warnings of a par- 
ting friend, who can possibly have no personal 
motives to bias his council. Nor can I forget as 
an encouragement to it, your indulgent reception 
of my sentnnentson a former and not dissin)iiar 
occasion. Interwoven as is the love of liberty 
with every ligament of your hearts, no recom- 
mend.uion of mine is necessary to fortify or con- 
firm the attachment. 

The unity of govcrmcnt which conslitulcs you 
one people is also now dear to you. It is justly 
so ; for it is a main i)il!ai in the edifice ot your 
real independance, the support of your tranquili- 
ty at home, your pc we abroad ; of your safety ; 
of your profperity ; of that very liberty which you fo 
hi)jhly prize. But as it is cafy to fo/cfec» that from dif- 



( 117 ) 

^ererjt ctufcsand from different quartei:s, much pains will 
be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your 
minds the convidlion of this truth ; as this is the point in 
your political tortrefs againfh which the batteries of interr 
nal and external enemies will be mod confrantly and adl- 
ive!y (thcugh often covertly and infidioufly) diredl'^cd, it 
is of infinite moment, that you (hould properly ertimate 
the immenfe value of your national Union, to your collciil- 
ive and individual happinefs ; that you (hould cherifii a 
cordial, habitual and immoveable attachment to it ; accuf- 
torn ng yourfelves to think and fpeak of it as the pallad um 
of yoiti- political safely and prosperity ; v/alching' 
for its preservation with jealous anxiety ; dis- 
conntenancing whatever may suggest even a sus- 
picion that it can in any event be abandoned ; and 
indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of 
every attempt to alienate any portion of our coun- 
try from the rest ; or to enfeeble the sacred ties 
which now link together the various parts. 

For this you have every inducement of sympa- 
thy and interest. Citizens by birth or choice, of 
a common country, that country has a rigth to 
concentrate your aifections. The name of Ameri- 
can,, which belongs to you in your national capaci- 
ty, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism, 
more than any appellation derived from local 
discriminations. With slight shades of difference, 
you have the same religion, manners, habits and 
political principles. You have in a common 
cause fought and triumphed together ; the inde- 
pendence and liberty you possess are the w^ork of 
joint councils, and joint efforts, of common dan- 
gers, sufferings and successes. But these con - 



( "■'^ ) 

siderations, however powerfully Ihey address 
T>hcmselves to your sensibility, arc greatly out- 
'weigb.ed by those which apply more immediate- 
ly to your interest— 'Here every portion of our 
x:ountry finds the most commundini; motives for 
.carefully guardinij and preserving the Union of 
\he whole. 

The North, in an vinrestnuned intercourse with 
the South, protected by the equal lawsof common 
goverment, finds in the productions of the latter, 
great additional resoiirces of maritime and com.- 
niercial enterprise and precious materials ofman- 
iifactuiing industry. The South, in the same 
intercourse, benefiting by the agency of the 
North, sees its agriculture grow and its com^ 
mercc expand. Turning partly into its own 
channels the seamen of the North, it finds 
its particular navigation invigorated ; and while 
it contributes, in different ways, to nourish 
and increase the general mass of the national 
navigation, it looks forward to the protection 
of a maritime strength, to which itself is unequally 
adapted. The East, in a like intercourse with 
the West, already finds, urd in the progressive 
improvement of interior communications, by land 
and water,will more and more finda valuable vent 
for the commodities which it brings fromabroad, or 
manufactures at home. The West derives from 
the East supplies requisite to its growth and com- 
fort—and what is perhaps of still greater consc- 
puencc, it must of necessity owe the secure 



( 119 ) 

tTijoyment of iiiclispensable outlets for its own' 
productions to the weiglit, influence, and the 
future maritime strength of the Atlantic side of 
the Union, directed by an indissoluble communi- 
ty of interest as one nation. Any other tenure 
by which the West can hold this essential advan- 
tage, whether derived from its own separate 
strength, or from an apostate and unnatural con- 
nection w Ith any foreign power, mud be intrinfi-. 
tally precarious. 

I While then every part of our country thus 
feels an immediate and particular intereft in 
Union, all the parties combined cannot fail to 
find in the united mafs of means and efforts 
greater ftrengih, greater refources, proportiona- 
bly greater fecurity from external danger, a lefs 
frequent interruption of their peace by foreign 
nations ; and, what is of ineftimable value ! 
they muft derive from Union an exemption from 
thofe broils and wars between themfelves, which 
fo frequesitly afflia neighboring countries, not 
tiled together by the fame government ; which 
their own rivallhip , alone would be fufficient to 
produce, but which oppofite foreign alliances, 
attachments and intrigues would ftimulate and 
embitte*-.— Hence llkewife they will avoid the 
necefiity of thcfe overgrov.-n mihtary eflabllfh- 
ments, which under any form of goverment, are 
inaufpicIou3 to hberty, and which are to be re- 
garded a'> particulaily hoflile to Republican Li- 



( 120 ) 

berty ; in this fenfe it is, that your Union o-igfit 
to be confideied as a main prop of your liberty,- 
and that the love of the one ought to endear to 
you the prefeivation of the other. 

Thefe confidcralions fpeak a perfuafive Ian- 
guage to every reflecting and viituous mind, 
and exhibit the continuance cf the Union as a 
primary obje^ of patriotic defirc- Is there * 
doubt, whether a common government can em- 
brace fo large a Iphcre ? Let experience folve it. 
To liften to'mere fpeculation in fuch a cafe were 
CI Iminal. We arc authorifed to hope that a pro- 
per organization cf the whole, with auxiliary 
ygency of govermentsfor tlie refpe«^ive fubdivi- 
fions, will' afford a happy iflue to the experi-- 
ment. 'Tis well worth a fair and full experi- 
ment. With fuch puweiful and obvious motives 
to Union, affecting all parts of our country, 
wiiile experience (hall not have demonftrated its 
irupracticability, tliere will always be reafon to 
dilUuIl the patriotifm ( Jthofe, who in any qu. r- 
ter may endeavour to weaken its bands. 
In contemplating the caufe which may dillurl. 
our Union, it occurs as a matter of feriouiconcerr. 

that any ground Ihould have been furniflied fo: 
chiiraclcrlMuv; parties by gcogra/'/iical discriminii 
lions— wo/vAfr« and Houtlicrn— Atlantic and v.^f^tcrt 

whence destining men :uuy endeavour to ex 

cite a belief tliut there is a re-l .lif^Vrence of !«c?. 



( 121 ) 

interests aivi views. One of the expedients of 
party to acquii^ influence, within ]jarticular dis» 
trict«, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims 
of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves 
too much against the jealousies and heart bur- 
nings which spring from these misrepresenta- 
tions ; they tend to render alien to each other 
those who might to be bound together by frater- 
nal affection. The iiihubkants of our western 
couatt^ have lately had a useful lesson on this 
head : they have seen, in tlie negociation by tlic 
Executive, and in the unanimous ratification bv 
the Senate, of the treaty with Spain, and in thie 
imiyereal satisfaction at that event throughout the 
United States, a decisive proof how luifoundcd 
v;eretlie suspicions propagated among them of 
a {K>licy in the General Government and in the 
Atlanuc States, imfdendly to their interests in 
regard to the Mssidjipi : tliey have been witnesses 
to the farmation of two treaties, that with Great- 
Britain and that with Spain, which secure to 
them every thing they could desire, in respect 
toourfbreign i-ektions, towards confirming their 
prosperity. W^il it not be their wisdom to rely 
ior the prieservation of these advantages on the 
Ukioic by v.-hich they \verc ])rocured ? Will 
they not henceforth be deaf to those advisers, if 
Mu-h there are, who would sever them from 
their bmtliren, and comaect them with aliens ? 

l^o the efficacy and permanency of your Uni- 
*^^ ?i government for tlie Avhole is indispensable 

L 



( 122 ) 

--Noalliunces, however strict, between the pans, 
can be an adequaie substitute : they must ineM- 
t ibh- expeiicnce the infractions and micrrupuons 
^vhich all alliances in all limes have experienced. 
Sensible of this momentous truth, you have im- 
^oroved upon your first essay, by the adoption ol 
a constitution of government better calculated 
than your former, for an intimate Union, and lor 
the eincacious management ot your common 
concerns. This government, the offspring ot 
our o^vn choice, uninfiuenced and unawed, adop- 
ted upon full investigation and mature delibera- 
ilon, completely free in its pnnciples, m the 
Uistribuiion of iis poucrs, uniung secuiity with 
energy, and coniaining within itself a provision 
for its own amendment, has a just claim to your 
(ontidence and your sui)port. Respect ioriia 
uulhorily, compliaiKic with h. laws, acquies- 
< eii. e in ils measures, are duties enjonied by 
the fundamental maxims ot true Liberty. 1 be 
basis of our polilical systems is the right ot tl-.e 
people to make and alter their Constuutions of 
Governme.u— But, the coi^stitulion winch at any, 
time exists till changed by an explicit imd anther- 
lie act of the whole people, is sacredly obiigau;- 
,v upon all. The very idea of the power and 
the right of the people to establish government 
j)resup^>oKcs the duly of every individual to obey^ 
the established government. 

Ail obsimciions to the execution ot the l^aws 
all combinations and associations, under whatevei 
.^laii^ible ch;i:xlc", wilh the real dcsirn lo di 



( 123 ) 

rffct, control, counteract, or awe the reguU; 
deliberation and action of the constituted author- 
ities, are destructive of this fundamental prin- 
^ciple, and of fatal tendency. They serve to or- 
*ganize faction, to give it an artificial and extraor- 
dinary foi'ce — to put in the place of the delega- 
ted will of the nation, the will of a party, often 
a small but artful and enterprising minority of 
the community ; and, according to the alternate 
triumphs of different parties to make the public 
administration the mirror of the ill-concerted 
and incongruous projects of factions, rather 
than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans 
digested by common councils, and modified by 
mutual interests. However combinations or 
associations of tliG above description may now 
and then answer popular ends, they are likely in 
the course of time and things to become potent 
engines, by which cunning, ambitious and un- 
principled men will be enabled to subvert the 
power of the people, and to usurp to themselves 
the reins of government ; destroying afterwards 
the very engines which have lifted them to un- 
just dominion. 

Towards the preservation of your government 
and the permanency of your present happy 
state, it is requisite, not only that you speedily 
discountenance irregular oppositions to its ac- 
knowledged authority, but also that you resist 
•with care the spirit of innovation upon its prin- 
ciples however specious the pretexts. One 
method of assault may be to effect in the forms 



( 121 ) 

-{■ the constitution alteration which will iiti|>ait 
the energy ot" the system and ihns to undermine 
^vhat cannot be directly ovcrllirown. In all ih<^ 
changes to which yoii mny be invited, i-cmem- 
ber that tin^e and habit arc at leasi as necessary 
to fix the true character of governments, as ot 
other hur.r.in institution^:. — that experience is l)-c 
surest standard, by which to test the real tenden- 
cy of the existing constitution of a country — that 
facility in ciiangcs upon t-hc credit or niere hy- 
pothesis and opinion^ exposes to perpetual change, 
from the endless variety of hyfx)thcs!s arxl opin- 
ion ; and remember, ebpec'ially, that for ifee effi- 
cient management of your common interests, in 
a country so extensive as ours, a govcTiiment of 
as much vigor as is consistent uii.h the perfect 
security of liberty, is indispensable. Lib-erty it- 
self will find in such a government, -with powers 
properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guar- 
dian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, 

vvhere the govemmcnt is too feeble to withstaTKl 
the enterpiises of faction, to connne each mcm- 
()cr of^thc society within t'.ie limits prescribe<l 
by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure arKl 
tran-quil er.joyment of the riglits of person ai^l 
property. 

I have already intiniritrd to yoo, the danp;erof 
parties in the state, with pailicul.ir iTferci->ce to 
the fotmding of them on geogro]ihical di>rrim- 

"lalions. Let mc now take a xr^^c : 



( 125 ) 

ner ag-ainst the baneful effects of the spirit oF 
party, generally. This spirit, unfortunately, is 
inseparable from our nature, having its root in 
the strongest passions ot the human mind. — It 
exists under different shapes in all governments, 
more or less stifled, controled, or repressed ; but 
in those of the popular form, it is seen in its 
greatest rankness, and is truly their worst ene- 
my. The alternate domination of one faction 
over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, 
natural to party dissention, which, in different 
ages and Countries, has perpetrated the most 
horrid enormities, is itself frightful despotism. — ■ 
But this leads at length to a more formal and per- 
manent despotism. — The disorders and miseries, 
which result, c^raduallv incline the minds of men 
to seek security and repose in the absolute pow- 
er of an individual ; and sooner or later the chief 
of some prevailing faction, more able or more 
fortunate than his competitors, turns this dispo- 
sition to the purposes of his own elevation, on 
the ruins of public Liberty. 

Without looking forward to an extremity of 
this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be 
entirely out of sight) the common and continual 
mischiefs of tlie spirit of party are sufficient to 
make it the interest and duty of a wise people 
to discourage and restrain it. It serves always 
to distract the public councils and enfeeble the 
public administration. It agitates the communi- 
ty with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms j 
T Q 



( 126 ) 

i>.indles liic ai.imosiiy ot one part a t^ainst anoth- 
er, ibments occasionally riot and insurrection. 
It opens the door to foreign influence and coniip- 
tion, which find a facilitated access to the ij^ovcm- 
ment itself through the channels of party pas- 
sions. Thus the policy and the will of one coun- 
try are subjected to the policy and will of anoth- 
er. 

There is an opinion that parties in free-coun- 
tries are useful checks upon the administration 
of the {government, and serve to keep alive th<; 
spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is 
probably true ; and in govcinmcnts of a monar- 
chical cast, patriotism may look \\ith indulgence, 
if not with favor, upon the spirit of pc-riy. JLJut 
in those of a popular character, in governments 
purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged, 
i'rom their natural tendency, it is certuh) there; 
will always be enou.e;h of that spirit for cveiy 
salutary purpose. And there beinp^ constant 
danger of excess, the etlbrt ought to be by force 
of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. 
A fire not to be quenched ; it demands a uniform 
vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flanie, Icrt, 
instead of warming, it should consume. 

It is important likewise, that the habitb of thinl:- 
jng in a free country, should inspire c; ' i 

those entrusted with its admihistrutioi^, i 

iiemselves within their respective constitutiontil 
.;)hcies, avoiding in the exercise of tl r- - i 

l" one departnicnl to encroach v.; 'jn 



( 127 ) 

The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate 
the powers of all the departments in one, and 
create, whatever the form of government, a real 
despotism. A just estimate of that love of pow- 
er, and proneness to abuse it, which predomi- 
Ticites in the human heart is sufficient to satisfy 
us of the truth of this position. The necessity 
of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political 
power, by dividing and distributing it into differ- 
ent depositories, and constituting each the guar- 
dian of public weal against invasions by the oth- 
ers, has been evinced by experiments ancient 
and modern : some of them in our country and 
under our own eyes. To preserve them must 
be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the 
opinion of the people, the distribution or mod- 
ification of the constitutional powers be in any 
particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amende 
rnent in the way which the constitution desig- 
^ nates. But let there be no change by usurpation; 
for tb.o this, in one instance, may be the instru- 
ment of good, it is the customary weapon by 
.which free governments are destroyed. The 
■Drecedent must always greatly overbalance in 
rrmanent evil any partial or transient benefil 
.iich the u&s can at any time yield. 

Of all the dispositions aiid habits which lead to 
'.^political prosperity, religion and raorality are in- 
dispensable supports.— — -In vain v/ould that man 
claim the tribute of patriot' rn, who should I'-bor 

Gubvert these great p: human, hap; 



( 123 ) 

lliesc firmest props dfihc duiics of men and cjii- 
zcns. — The mere polilician, equally with the pi- 
ous man, ought to respect and to cherish thcnj. 
A volume could not trace all ihcir connections 
Avith private and public felicity. Let it simply lie 
asked, where is the security for property, for 
reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obli- 
gation Desert the oaths, which are the instioi- 
ments of investipiationln courts of justice ; and let 
us with caution indulge the supposition, that 
morality can be maintained without religion 
Whatever may be conceded to the influence of 
refined education on minds of peculiar structure ; 
reason and experience both forbid us to expect 
that national morality can pre^'ail in exclusion of 
religious principle. 'Tis substantial ly true, that 
virtue or morality is a necessary spdng of popular 
government. The rule indeed extends with more 
or less force to every species of free govcrnmenf. 
Who that is a sincere friend to it can look wiih 
indifference upon altcmnls to shake llie founda- 
tion of the fabric ? 

Promote then, as an object of primary imparl- 
ance, institutions for the general diHu&ion of 
knowledge. — In proportic'i as the structure of a 
government gives force to p>iblic opinion, it is 
cs^lntial that public opinion should be cniighter- 
cd. As a very important 5 oiircc of strength and 
security, cherish public a cdi», one method of 
preserving it is to use it as sparingly as passible ; 
avoiding occasions of expense by cultivating 
pcare ; but remcmberinij :.lio that ^i'.ncly n;?bur- 



( 129 ) 

sements to prepare for danger, frequently pre-' 
"vent much greater disbursements to repel it ; a- 
voiding likewise the accumalations of debt, not 
only by shunning occasions of expense, but by 
vigorous exertions in time of peace to discharge 
the debts which unavoiding wars may have occa- 
sioned, not ungenerousjy throwing upon posterity 
the burden which we ourselves ought to bear. — 
The execution of these maxims belongs to your 
representatives, but it is necessary that public o- 
pinion should co-operi;ite. To facilitate to them 
the performance of their duty, it is essential that 
you should practically bear in mind, that towards 
the payment of debts there must be revenue : to 
have revenue their must be taxes : that no taxes 
can be devised which are not more or less incon- 
venient and unpleasant ; that the intrinsic em- 
harassment inseparable from the selection of the 
proper object (which is always a choice of diffi- 
culties) ought to be a decisive motive for a candid 
construction of the conduct of the goverment in 
making it, and for a spirit of acquiescence in the 
iQeasures for obtaining revenue which the public 
exigencies may at any time dictate. 

Obsel^•e good faith and justice towards all 
nations ; cultivate peace and harmony with all ; 
religion and morality enjoin this conduct ; f.nd 
can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin 
it ? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, 
at no distant period, a great nation, to give to 
mankind the magnanimous and too novel exam- 



( 130 ) 

Me of a people always p:uidcd by an exalted 
ivistice and benevolence. Who car) doubt th*T 
u» tlie course of time and thui,'^, the fruits of 
such a plan would richly repay any tcmporarr 
;idvantages -which might be lost by a iteady ad- 
herence to it ? Can it be, that PrcTrit^dVce has not 
connected the permanent felicity of a nation vrith 
its virtue ? The experiment, at Hast, is recom- 
mended hv every senliment which ennoWcs hu- 
man nature. Alas ! is it rendered impossi^y by 
its vices ? 

In the execution of such a plan, notliing is 
more essential than that permanent im'ctcratc 
antipathies against particular nations, and passi- 
onate attachments for others should be excluded, 
and that in place of them just and amicable feel- 
ings towards all should be cultivated. The 
nation, which indulges towards another an hah- 
tiual hatred, or an habitual fondness, is in some 
degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity er 
to its affection, either of wliich is sufficient to 
lead it astray from its duty and its interest- An- 
^tii>athy in one nation against another disposes; 
each more readily to offer insult and injury, to 
lay hold ofsliglit causes fjfumbrajte, and to be 
haughty and intractable, when accidefital or tri- 
lling occasions of dispute occilir. Hence frequent ' 
collisions, obstinate envenomed and Woody con- 
tests. The nation prompted by ill will and resent-- 
ment, sometimes impels to war the government^ . 
contrary to the best calculaii- " ^kJict. T' < 
• ovciTimcnt sonietimcspart. ^ 'uthcnat" i 



( 131 ) 

aipmpei;isityjarKlad€i.pts through passion what rea= 
sctti would reject ; at other times, it makes the 
;tm2nosityof the liaUoii subservient to projects of 
boatiiity iiisligjaited by pride, ambition and other 
siaiater and permcious motives. The peace of- 
ten,, bumelimes perhaps tiie liberty of nations has 
been the Tsctim. 

So likewise a passionate attachment of one na- 
6cHi for another pi'oduces a variety of evils. — » 
Sympathy for the fevorite nation, facilitating the 
miision of an imaginary common interest, in ca- 
ses where no rc^d common interest exists, and 
iafii^g into one the enmities of the other, be- 
trays the former into a participation in the quar- 
rels and wars of the latter, ^vithout adequate in- 
diicementorJiistiScation, It leads ilso to con= 
cesiuoas to the favourite nation of priviledgcs 
denied to oihers which is apt doubly to injure the 
nation making the concessions ; by unnecessarily 
'partirig v#ith what ought to have been retained ; 
and by exciting je:iIoiisy, ill will, and a disposi- 
tion to retaliate^ in the parties from whom equal 
privileges are withheld : And it gives to ambi- 
tious, corrupted, or deluded citizens (who devote 
themselves to the favorite nation) facility to be- 
tray, or sacri&ce the interests of their country, 
without oditini, sometimes even with popularity ; 
gilding with the_ appearance of a virtuous sense of 
obiig^Ltion, a coramendable deference for public 
opinion,, oraluadable zeal for public good, the 
Uisc or foolish compli.mces of ambition, corrupt 
tian or iaSituation- 



( :32 ) 

As avenues to foreign influence in innumera- 
ble ways, such attachments arc particularly alurm- 
ing to the truly enlightened and independent pat- 
riot. How many opportunities do they ailbrd to 
tamper with domestic ilictions, to practice the 
arts of seduction, to mislead public opinion, v> 
inllucnce or awe the public councils ! Such an 
attachment of small or weak, towards a great 
and powerful nation, dooms the former to be the 
satellite of the latter. Against the insiduous 
Aviles of foieigii influence, (I conjure you to be- 
lieve me, iellow citizens) tlie jealousy of a free 
people ought to be constantly awake ; since his- 
(ory and experience prove that foreign influence 
is one of the most baneful foes of republican 
government. But that jealousy, to be useful, 
mufit b'j impartial : else it becomes the instru- 
ment of the very influence to be avoided, instead 
of a defence against it. — Excessive partiality fo" 
one foreign naticn. and excessive dislike of ai. 
other, cause those whom they actunte, to sec 
danger only on one side and serve to veil and 
€vcn second the arts of influence on the other, 
Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of 
the favorite, ai-e liable to become susi>ectcd and 
odious ; wliile its tools and dupes usurj) the ap- 
l)lausc and confidence of the people, to surren- 
der their interests. The great rule of conduct 
for us, in regard to foreign nations, is, in extcn 
ding our commercial relations, to have with them 
as little POLITICAL connection as j)osbiblc. ire 
hr as wc have ahcady formed engagements, U' 



( 133 ) 

theai be fulfilled with perfect good faiili.— -Here 
let us stop. 

Europe has a set of primary interests, which 
toushare none, ora very remote relation. Hence 
she must be engaged in frequent controversies, 
the causes of which are essentially foreign to 
our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be 
unwise in us to implicate ourselves by artificial 
ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, 
or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her 
friendships, or enmities. Our detached and 
distant situation invites and enables us to pursue 
a diiferent course. If we remain one people, 
under an efficient government, the period is not 
far off, when we may defy material injury from 
external annoyance ; when we may take such an 
attitude as will cause the neutrality, we may at 
sny time resolve upon, to be scrupulously res- 
pected ; wnen belligerent nations, under the im- 
possibility of making acquisitions upon us, will 
not lightly hazard the giving us provocation ; 
when we m;?.y choose peace or war, as our inter- 
est, guided by justice, shall counsel. 
_ Why foreo-o the advantages of so peculiar a 
situation ? Why quit our own to stand upon for- 
eign ground ? Wliy, by interweaving our desti^ 
ny wqth that of any part of Europe, entangle our 
pe-dce and prosperity in the toils of European 
ambition, rivalship, interest, humor or caprice ? 
'Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent 
alliances, with any portion of the foreign world ;. 

M 



( 1^* ) 

-(, lar, I me3n as ve arc now at Ubcrty lo do it , 
for let mc not be understood as capable of put- 
ronisinc^ infideliiy to existing engagements I 
hold the maxim no less applicable to public than 
to private affliirs, that honesty is always the best 
policy. I repeat it, therefore, let those engage- 
ments be observed in their genuine sense, but, 
in my opinion, it is unnecessary, and would be 
unwise, to extend them. Taking care always to 
keep ourselves, by suitable establishments, on a 
rcsp-ctable defensive posture, we may sately 
trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary 
emergencies. . , n ,• 

Harmony, liberal intercourfe with all nations, 
are recommended by policy, humanity, and 
intercft. But even our commercial policy lliould 
hold an equal and impartial hand ; neither leek- 
in- nor granting exclunve favors or preferen- 
cet ; confuUing the natural courfe of thinjjs ; 
difFufinganddivcrfifying by gentle means the 
llreams of commerce, but forcing nothing ; 
eftabllfliing, with powers fo difpofed, in order 
to o-lve trade a ftible courfe, to define the rights 
of our merchants, and to enable the government 
to fupport them, conventional rules of mtei. 
courfe, the bca that prefent circumftances and: 
mutual opinion will permit, but temporary, andi 
liable to be from time to time abandoned or va- 
lied, as experience and circumlUnces Ihall dtc 
tate-, conrtuntly keeping in view, that 'tis lolly 
in one nation to lock for difmterefted favors from 



( 135 ) 

another; that it mud pay with a portion of it^ 
independence for whatever it may accept undet 
that charader ; that by fuch acceptance, it may 
place itfelf in the condition of having given 
equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of be- 
ing reproached with ingratitude for not giving 
more. There can be no greater error than to 
exped, or calculate upon real favors from na- 
tion to nation. 'Tis an illufion which experi- 
ence muft cure, which a juft pride ought to 
difcard. 

In offering to you, my countrymen, these coun- 
sels of an old and affectionate friend, I dare not 
hope they will make the strong and lasting im- 
pression I could wish : that they wjll controul the 
usual current of the passions, or prevent our na- 
tion from running the course v^hich has hitherto 
marked the destiny of nations : But, if I may even 
flatter myself, that they may be productive of 
some partial benefit, some occasional good ; that 
they may now and then recur to moderate the fury 
of party spirit, to warn against the mischiefs of 
foreign intrigues, and guard against the impos- 
tures of pretended patriotism ; this hope will be a 
full recompence for the solicitude for your wel- 
fare, by which they have been dictated. How far 
in the discharge of my official duties, I have been 
guided by the principles which have been delin- 
eated, the public records and other evidences of 
my conduct must witness to you and to the 
%vorld. To myself, the assurance of my ov/a 



( 136 ) 

conscience is, ihat I have at leabt believed m} ocli 
to be guided by them, 

111 relation to the still subsisting war in Europe, 
my proclamation of the 22d of April, 1793, is the 
index to my plan. Sanctioned by your approving 
voice and by that of your representatives in both 
houses of congress, the spirit of that measure has 
continually governed me ; uninllucnced by any at- 
tempt to deter or divert me from it. After delibe- 
rate examination, with the aid of the best lights I 
could obtain, I was well satisfied that our country, 
under all the circumstances of the case, had a 
right to take, and was bound in duty and interest, 
to take a neutral por,ition. Having taken it, I de- 
termined, as far as should depend upon me, to 
maintain it, with moderation, perseverance and 
lirmness. 

The consideration which respects the right to 
hold the conduct, it is not necessary on this occa- 
sion to detail. I will only observe, that accord- 
ing to my understanding of the matter, that right, 
so far from being denied by any of the belligerent 
powers, has been virtually atluutted by all. The 
duty of holding a neutral conduct may be infer- 
red, without any thing more, from the obligations 
-which justice and humanity impose upon every 
nation, in cases in which it is free to act, to main- 
lain inviolate the relations of peace and amity to- 
Avards other nations. The inducements of inter- 
est for observing that conduct will l)est be rcfcr- 
cd to vour own reflections and experience. Willi 



( 137 ) 

lYie, a predominant motive has been to ci'^deavor 
to gain time to our country to settle and mature 
its yet recent institutions, and to progress with- 
out interruption, to that degree of strength and 
consistency, which is necessary to give it, human- 
ly speaking, the command of its own fortunes. 

Tho in reveiwing the incidents of my adminis- 
tration, I aiTi unconscious of intentional error : I 
am nevertheless too sensible of my defects not to 
think it probable that I may have committed ma- 
ny errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently 
beseech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the 
evils to which they may tend. I shall also carry 
v/ith me the hope that m.y country will never 
cease to view them with indulgence; and that 
after forty -five years of my life dedicated to its 
service, with an upright seal, the faults of incom- 
petent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as 
myself must soon be to the mansions of rest. 
Kelying on its kindness in this as in the other 
things, and actuated by that fervent love towards 
it, which is so natural to a man, wJio viev/s in it 
the native soil of himself and his pro.^,enitors for 
several generations ; I anticipate with pleasing 
■epeclation that retreat, in which I promise niy- 
felf to realize, without alloy the sweet enjovment. 
of partaking, .in the midst of my fellow citizens, 
the benign influence of good laws under a free 
government — the ever favourite oljject of my 
heart, and the happy reward, as I tru3t,of our mu- 
tual cares, la'jors and dcinirers. 
M2 Ci. WASHINGTON 



( 138 ) 

SIR JVILLUM WALLACE'S BOX. 
PhUadelphiay ^-t 6 Jan. 119^. 
On Friday Ictst was preseulecl to the Piesi'ieijt 
Ci the United States, George Washingtou, a Box 
cleganllv mounted with silver, ar.d made of the 
celebrated oak ^tree that s-heltered the -patriotic 
Sir William Wallack of Scotland, after the 
unfortunate battle of ralkirh about the yeur \C%0'h 
This very curious and characteristic:;! present i;, 
IVom the Earl of Bu::hari, by tlx hand of Mr. 
ArcL:bald Robertson, a Scotch gentlcirian, and 
a portrait painter, \vlio arrived in Anicrica some 
months asi^o. The Box was presented to Lord 
Buchan by the Goldsmiths Company of Edin- 
burjrh ; from whom his EDnl;.hip requested, and 
obtained leave, to make it over to the Mun whom 
he deemed more de5er\ing of it than himself, 
and Gcori;c IVa^hi-iglon ica,! the man. 

We further learn, that, Lord Buchim, has 
requested of the President, that, on the event of 
his decease he will consign die Box to that Man, 
ill thin Country, who shall appear, in his judg- 
ment, to merit it best, upon the same con:;idera- 
tions that induced him to send it to America. ^ 

Upon the Box, which is curiously wrought, 
35 a silver plate with the follo^ving inscription : 
Frc^jcntcd by the GoULmi'hs of FAinburgh to Da- 
ad ^tenvart Er^kinc, Earl of Buchan, with th: 
Freedom of their Corporation^ by their Deacon — 
'. D. 1791." 



( 139 ) 

.Copy of the Letter from Lord Buciiak to G^ii- 
Washington, accompanying the Box. 

Drxjburgh Abbeys Jinie^S, 1791. 
"Sir, 

" I had the honcmr to receive your Excelien- 
cy's letter relating to the advertisement of Dr. 
Anderson's periodical publication in the Gazette 
of the United States ; whicli attention to mv 
recommendation I feel very sensibly, and return 
you my grateful acknov/ledginents. 

" In the 21st No. of that literary Miscellany, 
I irsserted a monitory paper respecting; America, 
■which I flatter myself, may, if attcnde;! to on 
the other side of the Atlantic, be productive of 
good consequences. 

'* To use your own emphatic v/ords, " Mav 
thfit Almighty Being who rules over the Universe 
— V, ho presides in the Councils of Nations — and 
Vv'hose providential aid can supply every human 
defect, consecrate to the Liberties and Happiness 
of the American people, a government institu- 
ted by themselves for public and private securitv, 
upon the basis of Law and equal ac'minifstration 
of Justice, preserving to every individual as much 
civil and political freedom as is consistent with 
the safety of the Nation.*' — And may he be 
pleased to continue your life and strength as long 
as you can be in any v/ay useful to your Country \ 

" I have entrusted this sheet inclosed in a Box^ 
made of the Oak that sheltered our Great Sir 
Wiilicim Wallace, after the battle of Falkirk, t« 



( ^^0 ) 

Mr. Kobcitson, of Aberdeen, a Painter, with 
the hope of his having the honour of cleUverinj^ 
it into your hand ; recommending him as an 
able Artist, seeking for fortune and fame in the 
New World. This box was presented to me by 
the Goldsmith's Company at Edinburgh, of 
whom, feeling my own unworthincss, to receive 
this magnificently significant present, I request- 
ed and obtained leave to make it over to the man 
in the world to whom I thought it most justly due. 
Into yo:i<r hands 1 commit it, requesting of you 
to pass i% on the event of your decease, to the 
Man in your ov/n country wlio shall appear to 
your judgement to merit it best, upon the same 
considerations that have induced me to send it to 
yourlv.'.celloncy. 

" I am, Sir, with the highest esteem, 

Yotu' Excellency's most obedient, 

And obliged humble servant, 

BUCHAN. 

« p. S. I beg your Excellency will have th:- 

goodness to send me your Portrait, that I may 
place it among those I most honour, and 1 woviUl 
wish it from the pencil of Mr. Robertson. I beg 
leave to recommend him to your countenance, 
as he has been mentioned to me favourably hv 
■my worthy friend. Professor Ojjilvie, of King'? 
CoIle?-c, Aberdeen." 



( 141 ) 

Gen. Washf-gton's Answer. 

Philadelphia, \st May, 1792. 
My Lord, 

" I ftiouldhuvehad the honor of acknowledg- 
ing fooner the receipt of your letter of the 28th 
of June laft, had I not concluded to defer doing 
it till I could announce to you the tranfmiffion 
of my portrait, which has jufl heen finiflied by 
Mr. Robertfon (of New-York) who has alfo un- 
dertaken to forward it. The manner of the exe- 
cution of it does no difcredit, I am told, to 
the artift, ofwhofe skill favourable mention 
has been made to me. I was farther induced 
to entruft the execution of it to Mr. Robertfon, 
.from his having informed me that he had drawn 
others for your LordOiip, and knew the feize 
which beft fuited your collection. 

*' I accept with fenfibility and with fatisfac- 
tlon, the fignificant prefent of the box v/hich ac- 
companied your Lordfhip's letter. 

" In yielding the tribute due from every lo- 
ver of mankind to the patriotic and heroic virtues 
of which it IS commemorative, I estimate, as I 
ought, the additional value which it derives from 
the hand that sent it, and my oligations for the 
sentiments that induced the transfer. 

" I will, however, ask that you will exempt 
me from the compliance with the request relating- 
Xo its eventual destination. 



( "2 ) 

^' In an attempt to execute your wish in lhh> 
purticiilai", I should feel emhanViSsir.ent fio:n a 
just comparison of relative pietcntalions, and fear 
lo risk injustice by so marked a preference. 

*' With sentiments of the truest esteem and 
consideration, I remain your Lordship's 
most obedient servant, 
EarlofBuchau. G. WASHINGTON. 

ExTRACT^/;'07« Gen. JVashiri^-ton^s Will. 

Itew — To the Earl of Buchan I re-commit 
" the Box made of the Oak that sheltered the 
brave Sir William Wallace after the battle of Fal- 
kirk," presented to me by his Lordship in terms 
too flattering for me to lepeat, with a request 
"• to pass it on the event of my decease, to the man 
in my country \vho appeared to merit it best, up- 
on the same conditions that have induced him to 
send it to me. — ^Vhether easy or not, to select 
th'' Man who mit^ht comport with his Lordship's 
opinion in this respect, is not for me to say : but 
conceiving that no disposition of this valuable cu- 
riosity can be more eligible than the re-commit- 
Tnent of it to his own cabinet, agreeably to the 
original design of the Goldsm.iths' Company of 
Edingburgli, who presented it to him, and, at 
his request consented that it should be transfer- 
red to me — I do give and bequeath the same to 
his Lordship ; and in case of his decease to his 
heir, with my grateful thanks for the distinguish- 
ed honour of presenting it to me, and more es- 
pecially for the favourable sentiments with whicli 
iic accompanied it. • 



( us ) 

CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON. 

(By a Scotch Traveller.) 
Ill DO one thing lias the world been so much 
deceived, as in the article of what is commonly 
cB.\\ed Great Me7t. Most of them, upon a near- 
er, and closer inspection, have been found to be 
either great hypocrites, or great robbers ! — Not 
so the man whose character is now attempted to 
be delineated. — Whether in public or in private, 
he was still the same ; and in that humble, but 
useful and honourable employment, a Farmer, 
he pointed the way to Fortune, as, in his public 
capacities, he had pointed the way to Fame ; e- 
minently proving, in his own person, the differ- 
ence betvv'een a system of method and ceconomy, 
and a course of idleness and dissipation. 

By his regular and economical conduct, Mr. 
Washington becnrme one of the extensive and 
opulent Farmers on the continent. He had a- 
bout 10,000 acres of land attached to his seat of 
Mount Vernon, where he combined theory with 
praetice, and, by successive improvements, ren- 
dered his grounds highly productive. Inclu- 
ding his household servants, and those who w'ork- 
ed cpon the farm, he daily maintained about one 
thousand persons, all of whom moved and acted 
according to the rules of a strict, but beneficent 
system. Like a well-regulated clock, the whole 
machine moved in perfect time and order — The 
eifects were, that he was completely indepen- 
dant, and died possessed of a great property.— 
it does not appear that Mr, Washington's educa- 



( "t ) 

tion v.as eirlicr rUir^sical or extensive ; a know 
fedge of the Eni^Hsh language, with a portion of 
geography antl niatlicmalics, seem to have been, 
the \vh()-!e of his juvenile improvements. Altho* 
his grammatical instructions could not be very 
accurate, he notwithstanding, attained, by dint; 
of study and observation,, a proficiency in the wri- 
ting of English, smooth, uniform, and even dig- 
nified — he -wrote in a style that has extorted llic 
a])probation of the most fastidious critics. He is 
j\n eminent proof, that a man may become an a- 
ble General without having read Cirsar in the 
original, and an abic politician without having 
j<.udied cither the Greek or Romini authors. 

With a tall, majestic person, and a manly 
coiiuLemmcc, he had a strong but well-governed 
mind — his prcceptions were not quick, but,Avhcn 
once he did take a position, it \tas generally well 
chosen, and firmly adhered to — Neither wit noi' 
vivacilv ryrightcned his features ; it was a face'ol 
care of thought, and of cuution ; all was calm 
ncss and deliberation — Washington's great fort> 
was prudence, or d.iscretion ; it covered him 
like a shield in tr.c hour of danger, and it was 
his sure guide in the day of prosperity ; by this 
single talent, he acc^uircd all his wealth, and ob-t 
tained all his celebrity. — Whilst he fulfiled all 
the relative duties, he was obedient to every tem- 
perate vulc, and every moral principle ; andknow- 
ing its vast importance both to individual and 
national happiness, he paid a proper respect to. 
tb.» observances of R«Ii.^,im. f^ q 






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